What’s Your Home’s IAQ? 

Easy Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality with Residential HVAC

Forget  the pumpkin spice candle in your foyer. When it comes to indoor air quality (IAQ), your HVAC goes a long way towards protecting and preserving your family’s health and indoor comfort. Ensuring the air you breathe is clean and healthy is our priority at Air-Tro, and we’re always looking to get the word out about easy ways you can improve indoor air quality at home using your HVAC system.

Get Regular HVAC Maintenance

Scheduled maintenance by a professional HVAC technician is the foundation of good indoor air quality. Regular maintenance check-ups keep your heating and air conditioning system operating efficiently, preventing the system from recirculating dust, mold, pet dander or other everyday contaminants. Cleaning or replacing filters, checking for leaks, and inspecting  all components to make sure they’re all in good working order is essential for maintaining clean air in your home.

Invest in High-Quality Air Filters

Upgrading to high-efficiency air filters like the HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) models, is a powerful step in improving your home’s  IAQ. These filters capture smaller particles like allergens, pet dander, and dust mites, reducing airborne crud while promoting healthier air for all.

Make Sure You Have Good Ventilation

Adequate ventilation is crucial for preventing stale indoor air. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture and other common pollutants. When the weather permits, open windows to allow fresh outdoor air to circulate. Mechanical ventilation systems, like energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), also exchange stale indoor air with what’s outdoors .

Are Your Home’s Humidity Levels Optimal? 

Indoor humidity levels should be between 30-50%. High humidity can lead to mold growth, while low humidity can cause discomfort for everybody. A humidifier or dehumidifier integrated into your HVAC system can help maintain these levels. Discuss with your HVAC professional.

Sealing Leaks and Gaps

Leaky ducts or gaps around doors and windows can allow outdoor pollutants inside. Properly sealing these areas is essential for good IAQ inside your home.

Do Regular Cleaning

There’s no way around it. Cleaning reduces the buildup of dust and allergens. Vacuum with a  model that includes a HEPA filter, mop floors, and dust surfaces frequently. This will help minimize the presence of airborne particles that worsen indoor air quality.

Reduce or Remove Allergens

Take steps to reduce allergens like pet dander and pollen. Groom your pets regularly, keep them out of bedrooms when necessary, and consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters to capture these pesky allergens.

Install an Air Purifier

Think about installing a standalone air purifier or one that is integrated into your HVAC system. Air purifiers can effectively trap and remove airborne particles like dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and bacteria. Who wants to breathe any of that? 

Natural Cleaning Products

Choose natural, non-toxic cleaning products to minimize the introduction of harmful chemicals into your home.. This in turn keeps your air cleaner and healthier.

Eliminate Tobacco and Smoke

It goes without saying but we’ll say it anyway: smoking indoors introduces carcinogens and toxins into your home. Put a strict no-smoking-inside policy into place to protect your indoor air quality and the health of your family.

Following these steps and you can significantly improve the indoor air quality and create a more comfortable living environment. Your family deserves an HVAC system that provides clean, healthy air for everyone. 

Air-Tro is the family-owned heating and air conditioning company that has been keeping San Gabriel Valley residents comfortable since 1969. Call us today for all your HVAC needs. (626)357-3535.