Indoor air quality can be difficult to maintain in the fall due to the higher number of allergens in the air. In today’s post, air conditioning installation company Superior Air shares a closer look at the challenges of maintaining indoor air quality during this season.
Factors That Can Affect Indoor Air Quality in the Fall
As the weather starts getting cooler, many people crack their windows open to air out the house and let in fresh air. However, opening the windows can also let particulates into your home, which may trigger allergies. While your HVAC system has air filters that trap these particles, some of them may circulate in your home before they’re caught, which can increase the risks of allergies being triggered.
In addition to allergens, there are some other factors that can affect your home’s indoor air quality.
• Fall cleaning — If you’re preparing your home for the coming holidays, dust and dirt can mix with chemicals from household cleaning products and circulate indoors.
• Air fresheners — Air fresheners are great for masking odors, but some of them can introduce chemicals into the air.
• High relative indoor humidity — Humid indoor spaces encourage mold growth, particularly in unseen areas like the attic and wall cavities.
How to Deal With These Factors
If you or a family member suffers from seasonal allergies, there are a few things that you can do to improve your indoor air quality.
• Keep up with HVAC maintenance — Keeping up with scheduled heating and air conditioning maintenance can help ensure that your HVAC system is working at peak efficiency and reduce the risk of indoor air pollutants recirculating in your living spaces. You should also replace the air filter as needed.
• Clean the air ducts regularly — A typical whole-home air duct system needs to be cleaned every three to five years. Pollen and bacteria can get stuck inside the ducts, particularly at the seams, where they can multiply and recirculate. In addition to increasing the risks of triggered allergies, bacteria in the ducts can also produce a foul odor.
• Install a humidity control system — A humidity control system consists of a humidifier and a dehumidifier. It helps maintain indoor humidity levels relative to the outdoors and helps prevent mold growth. Humidity control systems also prevent “sticky” summers and dry winters.
Superior Air is your leading provider of HVAC and indoor air quality services, including air conditioning repair. Give us a call at (559) 245-1727. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Tulare, CA, and the surrounding communities.
