Tips For Improving Indoor Air Quality

Did you know that indoor air quality (IAQ) can affect the performance of your HVAC system? Dirt, dust, pollen, excess moisture, and other pollutants can cause your furnace and AC to run less efficiently, which results in higher energy bills and reduced comfort. It’s a given that poor IAQ can also affect your family’s health, leading to more allergies, colds, and other upper respiratory problems. Instead of adding products such as HEPA filter standalone air purifiers or ceiling fans to each room, consider a whole-home option.

• Dehumidifier: If you’ve lived in Ohio long, you know all about humidity. High humidity can cause foundation problems and your doors and windows to stick, not to mention that it contributes to mold formation. Adding a dehumidifier to your HVAC system will extract excessive moisture from the air in your home, resulting in a drier interior and cooler temperatures in the summer months.
• Humidifier: On the flip side, very low humidity is also problematic. Indoor air that’s too dry can cause your family to experience dry coughing, dry skin, and chapped lips. You can add a humidifier to your furnace to maintain a more comfortable humidity level throughout your home, which helps make your home feel warmer in the winter months.
• UV Germicidal Lights: Frequently found in hospitals, UV germicidal lights are installed inside the ductwork. They destroy microorganisms such as dust and bacteria.
• Electronic Air Cleaners: Electronic air cleaners (ionizers) use electronically charged pre-filters to trap toxins such as mold and bacteria. Smaller particles that pass through the filter are attracted to metal plates where they will attach and remain, not releasing into your home.

Other options include using special HEPA or other highly protective furnace filters. The key is to make sure you change them frequently. Dirty and leaking ductwork can impact IAQ. In this case, it’s worth investing in ductwork inspection, cleaning, and repair (if needed.)