HVAC Pro Reveals Top Indoor Air Quality Mistakes Homeowners Make
Expert Covers Indoor Air Quality Do’s and Don’ts
No matter the season, homeowners will tinker with their thermostat settings to stay comfortable. When the weather is mild during spring or fall, people can open the windows and rely on their HVAC system less. At the same time, summer and winter may cause trouble for indoor air quality (IAQ) since extreme temperatures require keeping the home closed off—to keep the cool air in for summer and the heat in winter.
You’ll have an easier time securing good indoor air quality if you watch out for common mistakes that many homeowners commit. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Chief Operating Officer Cary Reed discussed these mistakes and how to avoid them.
Not Changing Air Filters Consistently Enough
Replacing your air filters minimizes the dust, allergens and other airborne pollutants circulating in your home. For people with allergies, forgetting to change air filters consistently could lead to sneezing, watery eyes or even require trips to the doctor. To ensure you’re utilizing the right filter for your unique system and situation, learn the basics about the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value system, commonly referred to as MERV, Reed suggested.
“It’s a simple 1 to 20 scale, and ratings in the center of that range are usually the higher quality home filters,” Reed said. “And, if you haven’t always been on time with filter changes, I’d consider scheduling duct cleaning service too. After that, establish reminders so you know when it’s time to swap out your air filter”
Overlooking HVAC Maintenance
Neglecting preventative HVAC maintenance is often the first step toward affecting your indoor air quality, Reed added. An HVAC system annual checkup helps it continues to deliver comfort effectively and helps to avoid major repairs in the future. Along with checking drain lines and coolant levels, tune-ups involve cleaning coils and heating elements that air passes through before moving through the rest of your home. When systems aren’t running properly, dust or moisture can build up and it may become the starting point for airborne pollutants making it indoors.
Continuing to Use Products that Contaminate the Air Unknowingly
Many people are shocked to find out that many common products could be harming their health. In general, there are three ways homeowners might be impacting their indoor air quality without knowing it. The first is by using aggressive cleaners that give off fumes and what are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With so many alternatives available, opt for a green cleaner instead, Reed suggested.
“Candles are also a common air contaminant,” Reed said. “Despite having nice scents in the home, this is it isn’t the best idea for air quality. I even caution against many air fresheners.”
Another way people tarnish their home’s air quality inadvertently is with indoor plants that may lead to allergy symptoms. The Ogren Plant Allergy Scale (OPALS) is a basic 1 to 10 scale that is commonly employed to evaluate a plant’s potential for creating problems 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 always smart to do your research before choosing indoor plants,” Reed said.
Ignoring Mold and Humidity Problems
Excessive humidity in a home can encourage mold and bacteria growth, which in turn may compromise 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 you can, Reed cautioned. Humid, musty air is often when the growth of mold starts, especially if you live in a warmer part of the country.
If you keep noticing a musty smell coming from somewhere, that’s a sign that moisture is trapped and unable to evaporate. Some homes also struggle with issues with either too much or too little moisture in the air, which is often resolved by adjusting humidity levels with a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier system, Reed added.
Not Taking the Opportunity to Open Windows When Practical
While it’s certainly more challenging to open the windows and let outdoor air in right in the middle of a cold snap, there are plenty of days throughout the year when opening up the windows and letting in fresh air is a good idea. Not only does it refresh in-home air quality as a whole, but it can even reduce radon levels. Radon is a radioactive gas naturally released from soil. In fact, purchasing a simple radon detector to monitor gas levels is a valuable investment, considering high radon exposure is linked to roughly 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually, according to the CDC.
To get fresh air into your home when it’s cold outside, use those midday temperature highs to open the windows in rooms and other spaces. And for summer, use the early morning hours when it’s cooler to refresh your indoor air, Reed suggested.
Not Exploring Technology and Services that Can Last
Regardless of whether your home has “problem air” thanks to excess humidity levels, mold, bacteria and other airborne particles, there are many solutions available, outlined the HVAC pro.
Homeowners struggling with microorganisms often use germicidal UV light lamps, installing them inside the HVAC system to kill bacteria, viruses and other microbes instantly. Other homeowners benefit most from ventilation systems that exchange musty air for fresh air, or whole-home air purifiers that can provide a constant flow of fresh, clean air in your home.
“Any air quality expert can also run tests to help you fully understand the depth of the problem,” Reed said. “Just as you should keep up with HVAC system maintenance, ignoring these problems only makes them more frustrating to resolve in the future. The good news is there are many ways to solve air quality concerns.”
To learn more about how to improve your indoor air quality, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality or schedule your HVAC maintenance right away.
