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For many homeowners, the idea of \u201cindoor air quality\u201d might be new to them. It\u2019s surprising to find out that your home\u2019s indoor quality can be several times worse than the outdoors. But after learning that, what are you supposed to do now?<\/p>\n
There are various approaches to improving indoor air quality. You don\u2019t want to just try all of them without the help of a professional, however, as they might not all be necessary\u2014it depends on your home\u2019s needs. That being said, here are some methods that might work for you:<\/p>\n
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One of the biggest contributors to poor air quality is simply the lack of fresh air inside the home. Running an efficient HVAC system means plugging up the leaks and drafts, as well as keeping windows and doors closed. While this keeps your home cooler or warmer with less effort, it also traps various contaminants inside the home with you.<\/p>\n
One way around this is with energy and heat recovery ventilation systems. These pieces of equipment attach to your existing duct system, and they exchange the indoor air with the outdoor air. However, they also use a heat exchanger to balance the air temperatures so that the air coming inside your home does not compromise your efficiency.<\/p>\n
No amount of fresh air entering your home will make a difference if your air systems are dirty to begin with. That\u2019s like taking a shower and putting dirty clothes back on again!<\/p>\n
Likewise, the ducts that distribute your air will only continue to spread dust and allergens through your home if they\u2019re dirty. The average six bedroom home accumulates nearly 40 pounds of dust annually.<\/p>\n
So if you haven\u2019t had your ducts cleaned in the past, and if your ducts are more than a few years old, now is a good time to have them cleaned. While we certainly recommend wiping dust from the air registers, we do not suggest attempting to clean the inside of the ducts by yourself. Without the right tools and techniques, you can actually make the problem worse.<\/p>\n
When you think of comfort, you often think of the temperature of the air. But that\u2019s only one part of the equation. The other part is the humidity! After all, it\u2019s not the heat but the humidity that makes summers so uncomfortable. Likewise, low humidity can make the air unbearably dry, making our throats scratchy and even lowering our immune systems.<\/p>\n
The solution? A whole-house humidifier\/dehumidifier system. While you may have used a portable humidifier in the past to bring moisture into a room, those devices are purely for temporary circumstances. If you find that humidity is a common problem for you or your family members, then a whole-house solution may be a worthwhile investment for you.<\/p>\n
And finally, it may be found on an air quality test that your home has various contaminants in its air circulation. For that, an Irvine HVAC company<\/a> can prescribe the right air filters or purifiers for you.<\/p>\n