Now more than ever, homeowners are concerned about the air quality in their homes. Dry air combined with dust, dander, and other allergens can make symptoms worse for those with asthma or allergies. There are some things that can help you with that will improve indoor air quality. Here are four:
1. Install a Humidifier
We have dry air in Alberta, and it gets dryer depending on the season. Dry air can cause dry skin, irritate eyes, nose bleeds, and chapped lips. It can also be responsible for snoring! Most important of all, eliminating dry air will help you combat infections and their symptoms. This is because our nose and lungs do a better job of blocking dust and bacteria when they are moist. If you’re fighting a cold or respiratory infection, a humidifier can help speed up your recovery by improving your lung’s elasticity and keeping your nasal passages healthy and moist.
Excessive humidity in your home can become a big issue if you have it for too long. In our challenging climate where temperatures regularly fall or increase by 20 degrees, we must “listen to the house”. Assessing the amount of condensation on your windows will be your best way of telling you that there is too much humidity in the home. The amount of humidity each house can handle is impacted by several variables:
- The amount of airflow by the window
- The thermal efficiency of your windows
- The insulation type between the indoor window frame and studs
- The insulation value of the wall the window is in
- And finally, whether the drapes and blinds are closed regularly (drapes trap the humidity and can impact air flow).
Acclaimed! Heating, Cooling, and Furnace Cleaning offers a range of efficient home humidifiers that are low maintenance with no mold or bacteria build-up. When used properly installed on your furnace, you will enjoy consistent humidity in your home and alleviate many any quality issues.
2. Get Your Furnace & Ducts Cleaned
Your HVAC system and ductwork can get dirty, dusty, musty and become a trap for germs and bacteria. Having your furnace and ducts cleaned at least once every two years can ensure the air blowing out of your registers is clean, healthy, and sanitized. Every duct system is different, and so your furnace and duct cleaning from Acclaimed! will be customized to ensure the shape, size, and configuration of your ducts are considered, ensuring the freshest clean possible. Our clients consistently comment on how clean and fresh the air feels after a good duct cleaning. Think of a full “Spring Cleaning” of your home where you clean and dust every surface. Clean ducts will allow you to breathe easier and improve your home’s indoor air quality significantly.
3. Change the Furnace Filter
After your ducts are cleaned your furnace filter should be replaced. It’s important to commit to replacing your furnace filter in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Furnace filters range from low price and low Efficiency (stopping only very large particles), to systems that clean and scrub your air by removing the smallest dust particles including smoke!
To know how often you should change your air filter, all you must do is look at it every month. Change it when you can see any dust built up or when it turns a medium grey color. A clean air filter will capture dust and particles before they are blown through your HVAC system which reduces the strain on your system, preventing breakdowns and improving its efficiency. Changing your furnace filter regularly is one of the simplest ways you can keep your home’s air clean.
4. Install a Central Air Conditioner
When you install a central air conditioner, you gain the ability to control the air quality in your home all year round. Since your windows will no longer need to stay open to cool down the house in the summer, this helps to prevent outdoor allergens from coming inside.
Running your air conditioner with a high-quality and highly efficient furnace filter will help keep dust and debris at bay, allowing you to breathe cleaner air.
Summary
There are plenty of ways we can help increase your home’s indoor air quality. Get in touch with our team of experts for more information on improving the indoor air quality in your home.
