Indoor air quality (IAQ) is very important for your health and the safety of your home. Many health problems, from allergies to breathing problems, can be caused by bad home air. The good news is that your HVAC system can help keep and improve the quality of the air inside your home, making it healthier and more comfortable.
This piece will talk about useful ways to use your HVAC system to improve the quality of the air inside your home. The tips below will help you make your home cleaner and healthy, whether you have seasonal allergies, a lot of dust, or smells that won’t go away.
1. Change Your Air Filters Regularly
Change the air filters in your HVAC system often. This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make the air inside your home better. The purpose of air filters is to trap dust, allergens, and other airborne contaminants before they can circulate throughout your home. Over time, these filters become clogged, reducing airflow and allowing pollutants to recirculate.
For optimal air quality, it’s recommended to change your air filters every 1 to 3 months, depending on the type of filter and how often you use your heating and cooling system. Homes with pets or occupants with allergies may need to change filters more frequently. Upgrading to a high-efficiency filter, such as a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, can further enhance the system’s ability to capture fine particles and improve indoor air quality.
2. Consider an HVAC UV Light System
Ultraviolet (UV) light systems are an excellent addition to your HVAC system if you’re looking to significantly reduce airborne contaminants, particularly bacteria, mold, and viruses. UV lights are typically installed near the HVAC system’s evaporator coil or in the ductwork. As air passes through, the UV light kills microorganisms, preventing them from spreading through your home.
UV light systems are especially helpful for homes with people who have breathing problems or allergies because they add another layer of defense against germs that are dangerous. While UV lights don’t replace the need for air filters, they can work in conjunction with your system to further improve indoor air quality.
3. Maintain Clean Air Ducts
Bugs, dust, and other harmful things can build up in your home’s airlines over time. This makes the air you breathe less healthy. Your HVAC system may have to work harder if your airlines are dirty, which wastes energy and costs more. Setting up regular duct cleaning is a vital component of keeping the air quality inside your home high.
Professional duct cleaning can get rid of dust, mold spores, and other contaminants that have built up in your pipes. This will make sure that your home is filled with clean air. It’s not as necessary to clean your air filters every month, but it’s still a good idea to have your ducts inspected and cleaned every couple of years, especially if you notice a musty smell or a lot of dust buildup.
4. Improve Ventilation
For good indoor air quality, you need to make sure there is enough ventilation. If you don’t have enough airflow, the air inside your home can get stale, and contaminants like smells, chemicals, and moisture can build up. By moving air between inside and outside, your HVAC system is a key part of good airflow.
If you want better airflow, you might want to add energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) or heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) to your HVAC system. These gadgets make airflow work better by swapping old air inside for fresh air outside, all while keeping heat loss to a minimum. This not only keeps the air quality inside your home better, but it also saves you money on energy costs.
Another way to improve airflow is to keep windows and doors open as much as possible, especially when the weather is nice. However, this method isn’t always possible when temperatures are very high or low. That’s why it’s important to have good HVAC flow all year long.
5. Install a Whole-House Humidifier or Dehumidifier
For good indoor air quality, you need to keep the humidity levels in your home at the right amount. If there isn’t enough humidity, your skin, throat, and nose can become dry. This can make you more likely to get lung illnesses. Too much humidity can help mold, mildew, and dust mites grow.
You can connect a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier to your HVAC system so that it controls the humidity in your home naturally. The air inside can get dry in the winter, so a humidifier can add moisture. As the summer goes on, the humidity can rise. A dryer can help.
By keeping the humidity level in your home at the right level (usually between 30% and 50%), you can stop mold and other pests from growing, make it more comfortable, and make the air quality better throughout your whole house.
6. Use Air Purifiers in Conjunction with Your HVAC System
Adding an air filter to your HVAC system is a great idea, especially if you have problems with air quality like pet dander, smoke, or chemical pollutants. You can put separate air filters in different rooms to focus on problem areas, or you can put a whole-house air purifier in your HVAC system to clean the air in every room.
Air cleaners work by pulling in air and running it through a set of filters or electric plates that catch dirt and other particles. Activated carbon filters in some more high-tech types can also get rid of smells and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. When you use an air filter with your HVAC system, you can cut down on airborne pollutants and make the air quality in your home better overall.
7. Educate Yourself About HVAC Upgrades
If your HVAC system is old or not working well, you might want to think about getting a new one. Modern HVAC systems are made to improve the quality of the air inside by using advanced filtering, ventilation, and humidity control features. You can also lower your power bills and use less energy by upgrading to a system that uses less energy.
If you want to upgrade, look for systems with high-efficiency filters, air purifiers built in, and better ventilation choices. You might also want to get a controlled thermostat, which will give you more control over how well your HVAC system works and make the air inside your home healthier.
