Five Facts About Indoor Air Quality

Five things you should know about indoor air quality

In heating and air conditioning, we are often focused on the temperature aspect of the business. But, there is another, equally important component – the quality of your indoor air. Poor indoor air quality can lead to discomfort, stagnant air, poor temperature control…the list goes on and on! As we head into spring it is particularly important to keep indoor air quality in mind. After all, all those blooming flowers and green lawns do come with a price – allergens!

Here are five things that may surprise you about indoor air quality…

1. Filters
   Filter changes are important year-round. Unfortunately, it can be a neglected chore. Heck, you may not even think about it until it becomes so dirty that it is causing problems with your unit! But, it’s a simple task that you can do yourself (if you don’t have to venture into your air handler or gas furnace). If you have a hard time remembering to change your filter – write it on a calendar to remind yourself. We recommend changing your filter at least twice a year – once before the heating season and again before the cooling season.
2. Air Purification
   Did you know that there is something called “dirty sock syndrome?” This is when mildew grows on your evaporator coil and causes unpleasant odors throughout your home. Yuck! Unfortunately, this is a common thing with heat pumps and can lead to less-than-ideal home comfort. To prevent this from happening, it’s a good idea to invest in UV light purifying systems and schedule a coil cleaning with your heating and cooling contractor.
3. Dust
   Does it seem like you’re dusting constantly? This can be a sure-sign of a dirty filter! So, if it seems like you can’t keep up with the dust and you can’t remember the last time you changed your filter, get to the hardware store!
4. Open Windows
   Unfortunately, open windows can actually be a really bad idea. Although it can be a good way to relieve stagnant indoor air, you want to keep the instances of open windows to a minimum. This is because unfiltered, untreated air can enter your home – depositing dust, dirt and allergens on all of your indoor surfaces.
5. IAQ Products
   And, lastly, did you know that many homes actually suffer from indoor air quality that is worse than the quality of the air outside? That’s because there are so many things we put into the air (like cleaning supplies, chemical air fresheners, etc) that can lower the quality of your indoor air. That is why making sure that your heating and air system is equipped with quality indoor air products is so important.

Are you considering adding IAQ to your heating and air conditioning system? Get in touch with your local heating and air conditioning contractor.

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