HVAC Specialist Reveals Top Indoor Air Quality Errors Homeowners Make
Expert Reveals Indoor Air Quality Do’s and Don’ts
Whatever the season, homeowners often modify their thermostat settings to keep their home comfortable. When the weather is mild at certain times of year, many homeowners prefer to open their windows and rely on their HVAC system less. Meanwhile, summer and winter can often cause problems for indoor air quality (IAQ) because the temperature extremes also mean keeping the home closed off—to keep the cool air in during summer and the heat in winter.
It’s easier to achieve good indoor air quality if you don’t make common mistakes that many homeowners fall into. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Chief Operating Officer Cary Reed covered several of these errors and how to avoid them.
Not Changing Air Filters Consistently Enough
Changing your air filters lessens the dust particles and airborne contaminants that lower air quality in your home. For people with allergies, forgetting to change air filters regularly could lead to sneezing, watery eyes or even require trips to the doctor. To ensure you’re employing the best filter for your unique system and air quality needs, learn the basics about the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value ratings system, commonly referred to as MERV, Reed recommended.
“It’s a simple 1 to 20 scale, which means ratings in the center of that range are usually the better home filters,” Reed said. “And, if you struggle to stay on top of filter replacement, I’d consider scheduling duct cleaning service too. Afterward, set up a system that reminds you when it’s time for air filter replacement”
Overlooking HVAC Maintenance
Overlooking preventative HVAC maintenance is usually homeowners’ first step toward affecting your indoor air quality, Reed added. An HVAC system annual checkup helps it runs smoothly and helps to avoid major repairs at some point. Along with checking all of the electrical components and coolant levels, tune-ups involve cleaning coils and heating elements where air passes through before circulating throughout your home. When systems aren’t running properly, dust or moisture continues to build up and eventually will become the starting point for contaminants making it into your home.
Using Products that Pollute the Air Unknowingly
Homeowners are often shocked to learn that common household products could be endangering their home’s air quality and even their health. Here are a few ways homeowners might be worsening their indoor air quality without noticing. The first is by bringing in strong cleaners that emit fumes and substances known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Whenever possible, choose an environmentally friendly cleaner instead, Reed recommended.
“Scented candles are an equally common air pollutant,” Reed said. “Even if you want a fresh smell in the home, this is it isn’t the best idea for air quality. I even warn homeowners against using many air fresheners.”
Another way people contaminate their home’s air quality unintentionally is with indoor plants that may cause allergy symptoms. The Ogren Plant Allergy Scale (OPALS) is a basic 1 to 10 scale that is often utilized to determine a plant’s potential for worsening symptoms for allergy sufferers.
“There are certain types that are considered ideal indoor plants such as ferns, ivy, fig and yuccas, but they also are known to lead to more allergy symptoms. It’s never a bad idea to check online before adding a bunch of indoor plants,” Reed said.
Neglecting Mold and Moisture Problems
High humidity in a home can promote mold and bacteria growth, which in turn could deteriorate indoor air quality. If you notice a plumbing leak and water is collecting in the walls or another area of your home, address it as soon as possible, Reed cautioned. Humidity is often when the growth of mold begins, particularly when you reside in a wetter part of the country.
If there is a musty smell coming from somewhere, that’s a sign moisture may be trapped somewhere. Some homes also struggle with issues with either too much or too little moisture in the air, which is often resolved by balancing humidity levels with a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier system, Reed added.
Not Opening the Windows When Possible
While it may be challenging to open the windows and let outdoor air in right in the middle of a cold snap, there is still much of the year when cracking open a few windows to let in some fresh air is helpful. Not only does it refresh in-home air quality overall, but it can even reduce radon levels. This radioactive gas is naturally released from soil. In fact, buying an inexpensive detector to monitor gas levels is a valuable investment, considering high radon exposure is the cause of roughly 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year, according to the CDC.
To refresh indoor air even when it’s cold outside, use those midday temperature highs to open the windows in rooms and other spaces. In the summer, use early morning air when it’s cooler to refresh your home, Reed suggested.
Not Using Technology and Services that Can Last
Regardless of whether your home has “problem air” due to excessive humidity levels, mold, bacteria and other airborne contaminants, there are still lots of solutions, detailed the HVAC pro.
Homeowners struggling with microorganisms often use germicidal UV light lamps, installing them inside the HVAC system to sterilize bacteria, viruses and other microbes before they reproduce. There are also ventilation systems that swap out musty air for fresh air, or whole-home air purifiers that can assure you enjoy a constant flow of fresh, clean air indoors.
“An air quality professional can also perform IAQ testing to help you fully understand the depth of the issue,” Reed said. “Similar to HVAC system maintenance, ignoring these problems only makes them worse in the future. The good news is there are many ways to address air quality concerns.”
To learn more about how to enhance your home’s indoor air quality, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality or request HVAC maintenance soon.
