No matter the season, poor indoor air quality is an issue in any home, but it gets more serious during the fall. Since we spend most of our time indoors, especially during this time of year, keeping your indoor air quality safe is critical to your family’s comfort and safety.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted HVAC company in Eden Prairie MN that offers a number of options to upgrade the quality of air that circulates throughout your home.
Most Common Fall Indoor Air Quality Issues
While temperatures begin to cool down during this season, the humidity levels still remain high. Some may not mind having a humid day, but too much moisture can result in respiratory issues and mold problems in your home.
This is also the peak season for airborne contaminants that trigger allergic reactions. If you have a standard HVAC system, you already have a line of defense against pollutants. But keep in mind that your air filters are only capable of eliminating larger particles and contaminants. Therefore you may need a more potent system to combat allergy-causing pollutants.
Fall is known as a season that has fluctuating temperatures: chilly mornings, sunny afternoons, and everything in between. If you are using a manual thermostat, it can be quite uncomfortable to keep a consistent temperature. You would have to switch between cooling and heating to adapt to the temperature changes. This can cause added stress on your HVAC system, leading to subpar performance and poor indoor quality.
This season is when you can have bad air circulation in your home due to the high population of dust mites. This is the time of year when you should consider improving your home’s overall ventilation system.
Upgrading Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality
There are a number of ways you can consider to achieve better indoor air quality. Here are some of them:
Keep your house clean.
Contaminants and allergens can accumulate in your home, triggering allergies and respiratory ailments. Use a vacuum cleaner packed with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to effectively eliminate concentrated household pollutants. This type of filter also helps rid your home of toxins, allergens, pet dander, pollen, and dust mites.
A vacuum cleaner that has strong suction, rotating brushes, and a HEPA filter ensures that dirt and dust will not be blown back out in the exhaust. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas like the living room and kitchen and make sure these sections get a clean sweep. Doing this at least twice per week will guarantee the best results.
Manage your home’s humidity levels.
The air during this season is often identified by dryness. This can make allergies more severe and can cause the skin to dry up, making you feel less comfortable. Some of the health issues related to inadequate humidity include dry eyes, nosebleeds, and irritated sinuses. In addition, low humidity levels can also cause cracked, warped, and shrunk wooden items such as musical instruments and furniture.
This is when a humidifier can help. A humidifier regulates the moisture levels of your home, solving the problem of air dryness. A whole-home humidifier that works alongside your HVAC system makes humidity control much easier, so consider installing one. Also, using a portable humidifier is another option to add moisture to a smaller area instead of your entire home.
Make sure your home is properly ventilated.
When a home is well ventilated, dirty indoor air gets out and fresh outdoor air gets in. The easiest way to do this is to open the windows. This is important, especially when you’re cooking, cleaning, or using household chemicals. If possible, install exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms to effectively let out fumes and airborne particles to the outside. Attic fans can also help bring fresh into your home mechanically.
Ask the Experts in Indoor Air Quality
If you have more questions about improving the quality of air in your home, call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. We have a number of air purification systems and humidifiers that can help you create a completely comfortable and safe living space. We are your leading Chanhassen heating and air conditioning company dedicated to providing you with the best possible HVAC solutions.