Dealing With Furnace Problems

Five Ways To Improve Indoor Air Quality

15 September 2020 by Eliza Chapman

Good indoor air quality can do more than help you breathe easier, it can also reduce the chances of chronic health issues and exposure to carcinogens and pollutants. The following are a few additions you can make to your HVAC system to improve air quality.

1. Increase Ventilation

Poor ventilation can be a major reason for poor air quality. Your home needs vents installed in any area where moisture collects, such as the bathroom, kitchen, and utility room, so mold doesn't become a problem. You may also need to add exhaust ventilation where fumes tend to build up, such as near a gas-powered furnace. Ventilation shouldn't just pull out air, either. There must also be some vents that circulate fresh air into the home.

2. Install a Dehumidifier

In moist or damp climates, mold can be a major detractor from indoor air quality. Mold is insidious — it can grow under carpets, in ducts, and even inside the walls. This means it's best to prevent it rather than try to clean it up once it starts growing. Installing a whole-house dehumidifier will bring down the moisture levels in your home, thus reducing the amount of mold you're exposed to.

3. Improve Air Filtration

Good filtration on your HVAC system will keep mold spores, dust, allergens, and pollen out of the air you breathe. You can start by simply using higher-quality air filters, such as HEPA filters, in your AC or furnace. These filters have smaller pore openings so they filter out more contaminants compared to other types of filters. You can also install additional filtration units on your HVAC system if air quality is a major challenge in your home.

4. Clean the Ducts

Air contaminants can settle inside the ductwork of your home, which means these contaminants are recirculated through your home each time the AC or furnace pops on. Contaminants can range from small mold spores to pet dander or even the dust from a home remodeling project. Have your ducts cleaned to reduce the number of contaminants being circulated through your home.

5. Consider an Air Cleaner

If you have major air quality concerns, such as living in an area prone to wildfire smoke, high pollution levels, or severe pollen exposure, then an air cleaner can be a good investment. An air cleaner contains a UV filter to kill biological contaminants like mold and bacteria and an electrostatic filter to reduce pollutants like smoke particulates.

Contact HVAC service in your area to learn more about how to improve indoor air quality in your home.

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