With the first few days of spring finally here we can look forward to longer days and the outdoor environment coming alive with the greening of the grass and blooming of the plants. But with that comes things that create issues with the air we breathe. The outside air we cannot control but the indoor air we can address and make more habitable.
Your home HVAC system plays a role in making your indoor air environment healthier by controlling ventilation, filtering air, humidity, dehumidification, and contamination removal.
The indoor air quality components may include your air filtering system which removes duct, pollen, mold spores, pet dander and other airborne particles. Filters are rated with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) number and the higher the number the finer pollutants the filter can remove. Homeowners should check filters monthly and change every 60-90 days typically. Also check with your equipment manufacturer if they have guidelines on the range of ratings they recommend on their equipment. Some manufacturers prefer the exceedingly high rated filters should be avoided due to issues they can create with variable speed blowers.
You can further the air purification with products such as UV lights. They can neutralize molds, pollens and bioaerosols. They can also address mold on indoor air conditioning coils.
Ventilation of your home, especially homes built in the last few decades, is key. Bringing outdoor air into the HVAC system with proper exhaust assists in removing contaminants that build up in your home. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) works excellently in this process while recovering the heated or cooled energy.
Humidity control in all seasons is something to be addressed through humidifiers in the heating season or dehumidifiers in the cooling season. Some manufacturers’ air conditioners can also have dehumidification settings to control the entire area of the home the system serves. The Carrier Infinity Furnace and Control are one of these systems.
There are other issues which can be present in homes such as radon which you should have tested and addressed by credible and knowledgeable contractors. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from decay of elements in the earth and permeates from the ground into homes through cracks in the foundation or sump pump wells. It can be inhaled by home occupants and build up in the lungs where it can develop into lung cancer.
Having the systems installed correctly and maintained by trained, licensed and insured HVAC professionals is crucial to the overall system performance. Filters should be kept clean and in good condition, humidifier pads replaced, and UV light bulbs replaced as needed. Things homeowners can easily verify are that all intake and exhaust louvers and vents are clear and free of debris and build up.
Maintaining these systems in your home will keep your indoor environment cleaner and healthier. Reducing the effects of asthma and allergies and potentially removing or reducing other more serious health risks.
