HVAC Pro Reviews Top Indoor Air Quality Errors Homeowners Make

Expert Reveals Indoor Air Quality Do’s and Don’ts

Whatever the season, homeowners will adjust their thermostat settings for year-round comfort. When the weather is moderate at certain times of year, homeowners may choose to open the windows and use their HVAC system less. However, summer and winter may cause issues for indoor air quality (IAQ) because the more extreme temperatures require keeping the home sealed up—to keep the cool air in during summer and the heating in winter.

You’ll find it’s easier to have good indoor air quality if you watch out for common mistakes that many homeowners make. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Chief Operating Officer Cary Reed covered several of these mistakes and how you can avoid them.

Not Changing Air Filters Consistently Enough

Swapping out your air filters lessens the dust particles and airborne pollutants hiding in your home. For anyone with allergies, neglecting to change air filters consistently could lead to sneezing, watery eyes or even result in trips to the doctor. If you’re committed to employing the most suitable filter for your particular system and situation, familiarize yourself with the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value ratings system, commonly shortened to MERV, Reed suggested.

“It’s a simple 1 to 20 scale, and ratings in the center of that range will often be superior home filters,” Reed said. “And, if you haven’t always been on time with filter replacement, I’d also advise a duct cleaning service too. Once that’s done, establish reminders so you know when it’s time to change the filters.”

Overlooking HVAC Maintenance

Skipping routine HVAC maintenance is usually homeowners’ first step toward compromising your indoor air quality, Reed added. An annual tune-up makes sure it runs effectively and helps to prevent major repairs down the line. Along with checking drain lines and refrigerant levels, tune-ups will also include thoroughly cleaning coils and heating elements where air passes through before circulating throughout your home. When systems aren’t running like it should, dust or moisture continues to build up and eventually will become the starting point for airborne pollutants making it indoors.

Continuing to Use Products that Contaminate the Air Unknowingly

Many people are shocked to find out that common household products could be compromising their health. In general, there are three ways homeowners might be worsening their indoor air quality without realizing. The first is by using strong cleaners that emit fumes and what are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With so many alternatives available, choose an environmentally friendly cleaner instead, Reed suggested.

“Strongly scented candles are another common air contaminant,” Reed said. “Despite having nice scents in the home, this is it isn’t the best idea for air quality. I even caution against many air fresheners.”

Another way people pollute their home’s air quality unintentionally is with indoor plants that may lead to allergy symptoms. The Ogren Plant Allergy Scale (OPALS) is a basic 1 to 10 scale that is often utilized to determine a plant’s potential for worsening symptoms for allergy sufferers.

“There are some varieties that are considered ideal indoor plants such as ferns, ivy, fig and yuccas, but they also are known to cause more allergy symptoms. It’s a good idea to do your research before adding a bunch of indoor plants,” Reed said.

Ignoring Mold and Moisture Problems

High humidity in a home can encourage mold and bacteria growth, which in turn may deteriorate indoor air quality. If you find a plumbing leak and water is starting to stain or damage the walls or another area of your home, address it as early as possible, Reed insisted. Humid, musty air is often when the growth of mold begins, particularly when you reside in a warmer part of the country.

If you keep noticing a musty smell in the air, that’s a sign moisture may be trapped in some place. Some homes also encounter issues with either too much or too little moisture in the air, which usually means adjusting humidity levels with a humidifier or dehumidifier, Reed added.

Not Taking the Opportunity to Open Windows When Practical

While it may be challenging to keep the windows open right in the middle of a cold snap, there is still much of the year when opening up the windows to let in some fresh air is a good idea. Not only is it beneficial for in-home air quality overall, but it can even reduce radon levels. This radioactive gas is naturally emitted from soil. In fact, purchasing a simple radon detector to monitor gas levels is a prudent investment, since high radon exposure is responsible for roughly 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, according to the CDC.

To refresh indoor air even when it’s cold outside, wait until the midday temperature highs to slightly open the windows in rooms and other spaces. In the summer, use early morning air when it’s cooler to refresh your home’s stagnant air with fresh air from outdoors, Reed suggested.

Not Taking Advantage of Technology and Services that Can Last 

Even if your home has “problem air” due to high humidity levels, mold, bacteria and other airborne pollutants, there are still lots of solutions, explained the HVAC pro.

Some homeowners turn to germicidal UV light lamps, which are installed inside an HVAC system to eliminate bacteria, viruses and other microbes instantly. There are also ventilation systems that replace stagnant indoor air for fresh air, or whole-home air purifiers that can ensure a constant flow of fresh, clean air in your home.

“An air quality professional can also conduct testing to help you fully understand the depth of the issue,” Reed said. “Just as you should keep up with HVAC system maintenance, ignoring these problems only makes them more frustrating to resolve in the future. Thankfully, there are many ways to address air quality concerns.”

For details on how to improve your indoor air quality, visit ServiceExperts.com/indoor-air-quality or schedule your HVAC maintenance right away.