Paying Attention To IAQ Starts With Your HVAC

You know the weather is warming up when you walk outside and start sneezing. Cotton is blowing all around you. Not only can you feel pollen, it’s so thick, it’s creating a layer on the sidewalk.

You try to escape it by sealing your windows up tight, and using the air conditioner if necessary. But that doesn’t always do the trick. According to the EPA, indoor air quality (IAQ) is often worse than outdoor air. What’s a homeowner to do?

It’s not just pollen

Have you noticed your allergies flare at certain times of the year? It might not be as bad indoors as it is outside, but it lingers, never seems to disappear.

Pollen may get stuck in your home, circulating every time your furnace or air conditioners run. It’s also more than that. Dust mites, animal dander, mildew, chemicals, and contaminants all can get trapped in the air supply, and add to the pollutants inside your home.

That’s why spring cleaning is important … throughout the year

Spring cleaning feels natural to us when the days grow longer and warmer. It’s only natural to want to throw open the windows, let the fresh air in, put away blankets and pillows used for warmth and comfort during the cold months, and minimize what’s around our homes. More sunlight shows the dust that may have accumulated after months of operating the furnace around the clock.

Don’t stop with dusting and bringing out summer sheets. Pay attention to your HVAC system too. Be sure the filters in both your air conditioner and furnace are changed out regularly. These filters trap contaminants and ensure efficiency throughout the entire system. Replacing dirty filters can improve your air quality while also making your equipment room smoother.

Checkups are necessary to ensure good air quality

Like any equipment or appliance inside your home, your HVAC system has a finite lifespan. The closer it gets to the end of life, the more potential problems may exist.

A comprehensive checkup every year allows a technician to inspect the entire system, make minor repairs early before they have a chance to escalate. This helps keep your equipment running smoothly all season, and alerts you to potential problems early.

Isn’t it better to make repairs and replace equipment on your time instead of an emergency situation when you least expect it?