Improve Indoor Air Quality By Fixing Your HVAC
September 5, 2019
This might not be the most glamorous topic, but as the seasons change, it’s a good idea to get your home’s heating and cooling system ready for Autumn. Not only will it help your HVAC unit operate more efficiently (which saves you money on your monthly energy bill!), but you can greatly improve indoor air quality.
This is especially important in homes with large families or pets, or where people suffer from asthma or allergies. We all love spring cleaning, so see this as fall cleaning and incorporate it into your back-to-school routine.
Have the Air Ducts Cleaned
You would be absolutely amazed (and maybe horrified!) by how much dirt can collect in the ventilation system inside our homes. During late spring, summer, and early fall, a lot of allergens are in the air and these particles enter our homes and circulate for months.
On top of that, it’s relatively normal for dust—and even mold and mildew—to collect in our air ducts. Call in a professional to get all of these things cleared out of your HVAC system before the winter months roll in. When they’re done, be sure to wipe down the registers, too!
Change the Air Filter
Now that the vents in your home are no longer filled with pollutants, you’ll want to make sure you are using a fresh air filter. These should be changed regularly, even every 30 days if you’ve got pets.
Choose one that is appropriate for the size of your home and family. If you need help, ask someone at your local hardware store or call an HVAC maintenance and repair company.
Clean Up Your Yard
During the summer, a lot of things can collect in our yards. Between kids’ toys, lawn furniture, barbecue grills, and even grass clippings, you might be amazed by how cluttered things have become back there.
Put anything you’re no longer using in storage, clear away debris and pay extra attention to the area around your outdoor HVAC unit components. If needed, trim away any tree branches or brush that could be obstructing airflow, and as the leaves start to fall, keep an eye out for them also.
Do a Deep Clean of Your Home
In summer, we tend to have our windows and doors more often, we track grass, dirt, pollen, and even sand into the house and might even have damp towels and beach bags laying around. Those warmer months are filled with adventure, and our homes can get pretty grimy.
This is a great time to have everyone pitch in to do a deep cleaning of the house, paying extra attention to flooring. Go through your summer clothing and gear and get rid of anything you can no longer use. This is helpful because the more cluttered the home, the harder your HVAC will have to work.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
As a homeowner, you’re probably dreading the idea of adding another expense, but regular maintenance can keep your heating and cooling system running optimally. More importantly, a trained technician can identify potential issues before they become big problems.
The last thing you want is for your HVAC to break down on the coldest day of the year! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so take care of this integral part of your home so you can keep your family comfortable year-round.
