DID YOU KNOW? According to the EPA, indoor air is 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air? This statistic is alarming, but you can still improve your indoor air quality using these 8 HVAC hacks in the summer.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are extremely helpful during the hot, humid summer months in Maryland. Pests, mold, bacteria and other allergens flourish. Dust mites love the humidity and can be triggers for asthma and other allergies. Invest in a humidifier to get the mites, pests and allergies under control this summer.
Groom your Pets Regularly
Shedding is at an all-time high during summer because pets need to keep their bodies cool. Pet dander clog filters extremely fast, and your furry friends can negatively impact indoor air quality. Keep them regularly groomed during the summer to minimize the shedding and keep them cool and comfortable.
Change your Air Filter Often
Air filters get dirty way more frequently in the summer because of how often they run. This is a vital area to focus on to ensure good air quality in your home.
The MERV scale – Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value is a scale of one to twenty depending on the minimum size of the particles a filter can be expected to capture. A filter with a MERV of one to four captures particles greater than 10 Micrometers. Having a filter that has at least an 11 rating can protect you from numerous allergens in your home. It is just as important as replacing your filter every month. It sounds extreme, we know. However, you would be surprised how quickly your air filter can become inefficient when exposed to all of the pollutants and allergens in the summer months.
Consider UV Lighting
The genetic issue with the air conditioning unit is that the ductwork stays cool and is constantly collecting moisture. If you consider installing a UV light into the interior ductwork, you can guarantee that the mold and bacteria will die due to the lack of cool and darkness that they would typically thrive in. This is a simple way to reduce allergens and improve air quality all year round.
Keep the Floors Clean
Summer is here, school is out and now the kids are running in and out of the house all day. This calls for a higher chance of allergens finding their place in the corners of your floors. Do not let these particles build up and enter your vents. Set a routine cleaning schedule to ensure these asthma-causing allergies do not make themselves comfortable and interfere with the air quality in your home.
Close your Windows
On those warm days with a light breeze, it is easy to turn the A/C of and let in some fresh air. Be cautious of days with high pollen count and refrain from opening your windows on these days. The idea of fresh air sounds good; however, when it comes with a larger amount of allergens that enter through the window and pollute the indoor air, it is best to keep your windows closed and let your A/C do its job.
Clean your Ducts
Your Ducts need to be cleaned at least once a year. The ducts are where the pollutants and allergens like to settle and when you run your A/C they are blown into all areas of your house.
Contact Clarksville Heating & Air
Any questions you may have about improving your indoor air quality – Clarksville Heating & Air has the answers. We have comprehensive experience in improving indoor air quality. We offer a surplus of services that are uniquely designed to combat the problem you are having with the HVAC system in your home. Give us a call today! We have everything you need to prepare for your summer months.
