June 3, 2014

There has been growing concerns over indoor air quality in the last few years.

The concern is for the indoor air quality in our homes and offices. As energy concerns have pushed homeowners to make their houses airtight, they have created an indoor environment perfectly suited for contaminants and known allergens to grow and thrive. Qualified HVAC technicians offer some much-needed advice on ways you can cut down on the pollutants that are floating around inside your own home.

Clean and Dust Free

Keeping your home clean and dust-free is one of the easiest ways to help cut down on respiratory irritants in the air. When your vents blow air into the room, the air will be disturbed and any build-up of dust will be added to the circulating air. The particles next pass through your ductwork and those dust particles and any contaminants they contain are now part of the indoor air you breathe. You should always try and clean with the blower fan off and make vacuuming the last step of the process. Use vacuum filter bags that are designed for allergen reduction and do not forget to use it on upholstery and window dressings. Cleaning regularly will help cut down on the particles in your air that are irritating your respiratory system.

Reduce Inside Irritants

HVAC experts also recommend that you reduce the number of irritants you use inside of the house. This includes cigar and cigarette smoking and harsh cleaning chemicals. All of those irritants become sucked into your HVAC system and become a part of the air you breathe. Indoor plants can help improve the air quality by providing natural oxygen. Consider adding some to the décor of your living spaces in order to get more fresh air circulating throughout your house.

A Whole House Humidifier or De-Humidifier

Another way that HVAC technicians find helps with the overall indoor air quality of your home is with a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier. These units work in conjunction with your heating and cooling unit to help you maintain an ideal humidity level inside of your house. Health experts agree that a humidity level that is between 30 and 50 percent is best for improved respiration. This level also inhibits the growth of mold and spores inside of your house.

Regular HVAC Maintenance

The last item is the regular cleaning and maintenance of all of your HVAC components by a licensed HVAC technician. This not only keeps the system running efficiently, but it also cuts down on the amount of accumulated dust and debris that is circulating into your air. Included in the maintenance should be an air filter change. HVAC filters are specifically designed to help improve the quality of indoor air but will do little if not changed often. Ask your HVAC technician to show you how to access and check the filter yourself so that you can change it as needed.

By following these few simple tips, you will find that the number of respiratory illnesses suffered by your family may decrease. Call Scott-Lee Heating Company at (314) 200-0788 for all of your HVAC needs.

Photo credit: PoshSurfside.com via Flickr