HVAC Expert Reveals Top Indoor Air Quality Mistakes Homeowners Make
Expert Covers Indoor Air Quality Do’s and Don’ts
Whatever the season, homeowners need to regularly tinker with their thermostat settings for year-round comfort. When the weather is mild during spring or fall, many homeowners prefer to open their windows and rely on their HVAC system less. At the same time, summer and winter may cause trouble for indoor air quality (IAQ) because the more extreme temperatures also mean keeping the home sealed from the outdoors—to keep the cool air in during summer and keep the cold air out in winter.
It’s easier to achieve good indoor air quality if you don’t make the same common mistakes homeowners can commit. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Chief Operating Officer Cary Reed points out these mistakes and how to avoid them.
Not Changing Air Filters Consistently Enough
Changing your air filters reduces the dust, allergens and other airborne contaminants hiding in your home. For anyone with allergies, failure to change air filters frequently could exacerbate sneezing, watery eyes or even require trips to the doctor. To make sure you are employing the right filter for your unique system and preferences, familiarize yourself with the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value ratings system, commonly known as MERV, Reed recommended.
“It’s a fairly straightforward 1 to 20 scale, so ratings in the middle of that range will often be higher quality home filters,” Reed said. “And, if you struggle to stay on top of filter replacement, I’d also advise a duct cleaning service too. Afterward, establish reminders so you know when it’s time to change the filters.”
Overlooking HVAC Maintenance
Neglecting preventative HVAC maintenance is often the first step toward compromising your indoor air quality, Reed added. An annual tune-up makes sure it runs effectively and helps to lower the risk of needing major repairs down the line. Along with checking electrical connections and refrigerant levels, tune-ups offer cleaning coils and heating elements wherever air passes through before making its way through vents into your home. When systems aren’t running like it should, dust or moisture continues to build up and eventually will become the starting point for contaminants making it inside.
Continuing to Use Products that Pollute the Air Unknowingly
Homeowners are often surprised to learn that common household products could be compromising their health. Here are a few ways in particular that homeowners could be affecting their indoor air quality without knowing it. The first is by bringing in strong cleaners that release fumes and what are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Whenever possible, opt for an environmentally friendly cleaner instead, Reed recommended.
“Candles are an equally common air contaminant,” Reed said. “Even if you want a fresh smell in the home, this is not the best option. I even warn homeowners against using many air fresheners.”
Another way people contaminate their home’s air quality unintentionally is with indoor plants that may cause allergy symptoms. The Ogren Plant Allergy Scale (OPALS) is a basic 1 to 10 scale that is widely used to evaluate a plant’s potential for creating problems for allergy sufferers.
“There are certain types that are considered excellent indoor plants like ferns, ivy, fig and yuccas, but these plants can also cause more allergy symptoms. It’s always smart to check online before picking indoor plants,” Reed said.
Ignoring Mold and Moisture Problems
High humidity in a home can induce mold and bacteria growth, which in turn may compromise indoor air quality. If you find a plumbing leak and water is collecting in the walls or another area of your home, address it as quickly as you can, Reed insisted. Humid, musty air is often when the growth of mold starts, especially if you reside in a more humid part of the country.
If you keep noticing a musty smell in the air, that’s a sign that moisture is trapped in some place. Some homes also encounter issues with either too much or too little moisture in the air, which may require balancing humidity levels with a humidifier or dehumidifier, Reed added.
Not Taking the Opportunity to Open Windows When Practical
While it may be challenging to open the windows and let outdoor air in in the worst of a cold snap, there is still much of the year when cracking open a few windows for fresh air is helpful. Not only does it refresh in-home air quality as a whole, but it will also lower radon levels. This radioactive gas is naturally emitted from soil. In fact, purchasing an inexpensive detector to monitor gas levels is a worthwhile investment, especially when high radon exposure is the cause of roughly 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, according to the CDC.
To get fresh air into your home when it’s cold outside, use those midday temperature highs to crack the windows in rooms and other spaces. In the summer, use the early morning hours when it’s cooler to refresh your home, Reed suggested.
Not Exploring Technology and Services that Can Last
Regardless of whether your home has “problem air” due to excess humidity levels, mold, viruses and other airborne particles, there are many solutions available, explained the HVAC pro.
Homeowners struggling with microorganisms often use germicidal UV light lamps, installing them inside the HVAC system to eliminate bacteria, viruses and other microbes within seconds. Others use dedicated ventilation systems that exchange stagnant indoor air for fresh air, or whole-home air purifiers that can ensure a constant flow of fresh, clean air all year.
“Your local indoor air quality specialists can also perform IAQ testing to help you fully grasp the depth of the problem,” Reed said. “Just like with HVAC system maintenance, letting these issues persist only makes them more frustrating to resolve in the future. Thankfully, there are many ways to address air quality concerns.”
For details on how to improve your indoor air quality, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality or schedule your HVAC maintenance soon.
