December 17, 2016
Help your family breathe easier this winter season by improving the indoor air quality in your St. Louis home.
Modern homes are sealed tighter than ever and are designed to minimize heat loss and be energy efficient. However, this also traps pollutants within the home and may create a stuffy and dry environment. In this post, our St. Louis HVAC technicians will discuss ways to improve indoor air quality in winter and help you and your family breathe easier.
Tips to improve winter indoor air quality
Change your filter regularly: During summer, the indoor air is likely to be cleaner, because the indoor air gets exchanged with fresh outdoor air through open doors and windows. However, in the winter, the indoor air is constantly recycled through the heating system and ductwork. This can cause some pollutants to remain inside the home. One of the simplest ways to traps these pollutants and allergens is through the HVAC filter. This makes it very important to have the filter changed every four to six weeks during the heating season.
Control humidity: High humidity levels can cause conditions that promote mold growth. If the humidity levels are too low, it can make you and your family uncomfortable. When humidity levels become excessively low and fall below the recommended levels of 30 to 50 percent, residents may start facing problems such as dry skin, airways, and lips. You may also start noticing cracks in the wood furniture and static electricity may become a cause of concern. In order to regulate humidity levels in your home, you should consider installing a humidifier as it can provide immediate relief and improve the quality of indoor air.
Routine HVAC maintenance: It is important to schedule annual maintenance of your HVAC system each fall and spring, to prepare your equipment for the oncoming season. You should have your heating system cleaned & inspected to improve your indoor air quality. It could also prevent any unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs.
Use exhaust fans: Make good use of the exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen to eliminate excess moisture in the air. This will prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
Keep your home clean: While you may think that your home is absolutely clean because you spend an hour each day dusting and vacuuming, you may be surprised. Rather than just moving the dust around, many experts recommend that you should trap it using electrostatic cloth and microfiber and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
Install an air purifier: There are high-quality air cleaners available on the market that can successfully filter allergens such as dander, pollen, viruses, mold spores, and bacteria.
Ensure the ducts are clean: Your ductwork may have dust, allergens, and dirt that can stir up and get distributed through the home as conditioned air circulates through. This makes it important to have the ducts inspected annually to ensure that there are no leaks or gaps where polluted air can enter inside through the crawlspace, attic, or basement.
Need to know more about improving indoor air quality? Call the trusted St. Louis heating experts at Scott-Lee Heating Company today at (314) 200-0788!