Your indoor air quality can dramatically impact your comfort and health. Unfortunately, residents of Evansville and Louisville may struggle to maintain a sense of fresh air due to the area’s intense humidity and the need for constant HVAC use.Â
Luckily, there are several steps homeowners can take to improve indoor air quality. Read on for seven tips the HVAC experts at A+ Derr recommend for reducing your home’s dust, dander, and allergens.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
If you live in an area with high humidity, moisture buildup can lead to mold growth and mildew. Other common sources of pollution include dust, pet dander, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning supplies, and combustion pollutants from gas heating systems.
7 Ways To Reduce Allergens in Your Home Today
There are various ways to reduce allergens in your home, including:
Install a Whole-Home Air Purifier
A whole-home air purifier is integrated with your HVAC system and can filter and sanitize the air distributed throughout your home. This improves your system’s ability to capture airborne particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander, providing a healthy environment for those with allergies and respiratory issues.
Install a Whole-Home Dehumidifier
High humidity can lead to air quality issues in your home. By installing a whole-home dehumidifier, you can restore moisture balance in your home to prevent mold spores, musty odors, and more. This is critical to avoid exposure to dangerous mold growth and keep indoor humidity at 30% to 50%.
Schedule Professional Duct Cleaning
Over time, the ductwork in your home can gather dust or even grow mold due to excess moisture. The particles in these ducts are blown into your home whenever your HVAC distributes heated or cooled air. Scheduling routine professional duct cleaning helps prevent these contaminants from circulating throughout your home and improves airflow to support your health.
Replace and Upgrade Your Air Filters
Clean, unclogged filters are the most effective at capturing particles in the air. That’s why HVAC professionals recommend changing your filters every one to three months. Homeowners can improve the filtration of their system by upgrading to filters with a higher Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating or HEPA filters that catch smaller particles.
Schedule Routine HVAC Maintenance
Your annual HVAC maintenance is key for maintaining your indoor air quality. During a heating or cooling tune-up, a professional will clean your system, check for leaks, and ensure it’s operating correctly. As a result, your well-maintained system will filter air more effectively and avoid spreading dust and other pollutants.
Keep Your Home Well-Ventilated
Constantly running your HVAC can create a feeling of stale air or general stuffiness in your home. To get fresh air, open your windows when the outdoor temperature is ideal. You should also use exhaust fans when using gas stoves, fireplaces, or candles to remove combustion pollutants and smoke from your space.Â
Add Houseplants
The right houseplants can actually benefit your air quality. Air-purifying plants like peace lilies, spider plants, or snake plants absorb VOCs and increase oxygen levels to provide a natural air-refreshing benefit for your home.
Improve Your Home’s Air Quality With A+ Derr Today
If you’re ready to create a healthier environment in your home, call the team at A+ Derr Heating & Cooling. As a fourth-generation family-operated company, we offer personalized care for all your HVAC needs, including routine maintenance and indoor air solutions. Plus, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and 24/7 emergency service.
Contact A+ Derr today to schedule services for your Evansville or Louisville home.
