As residents of Utah, we all know that air quality if a large concern, especially during our long winters. Every home or business is going to have their own air quality needs. If you have young children, the elderly or people facing various illnesses living with you it is important to keep your air quality as high as possible. We wanted to take a minute and share simple ways you can increase your home’s air quality as well as some ways an hvac technician can help.
Things you can do immediately to clean your home’s air.
Keep your home fresh and clean. Everything decomposes and created dust over time and keeping a clean home will drastically reduce the number of air pollutants present. Vacuuming and mopping will help reduce the number of particles in your home, especially if your home has a lot of traffic and pets.
Avoid irritants and indoor pollutants. It may sound like common sense, but it is important for your indoor air quality that you ask smokers to only light up outside. We also recommend that you avoid cleaners and scents that are synthetic. It is also a good idea to open your windows for 5-10 minutes a day if the outdoor air quality is good on that day.
Change your air filters on a regular basis. Most people do not change their air filters nearly enough. We recommend that you change them monthly, no more than 3 months at a time. There are different filter options that you can use to keep increasing your home’s air quality.
- The standard cardboard air filters: These are the ones we should all be familiar with. They are single use and should be thrown away once they have become dirty.
- Electrostatic air filters: These are washable air filters that can last indefinitely. You simply take them out and wash them about once a month. At $50-$60 a pop, they are more expensive but should pay for themselves after just one year of use.
- High-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters: These are the highest end when it comes to removing particulates from your air. They do however drastically reduce air flow and should only be used with a comparable system. If you have any questions about what type of filter is right for your home, contact an indoor air quality specialist.
Things to speak with an HVAC technician about.
Air purification systems: These are professionally installed systems that will significantly increase your indoor air quality. They are antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral systems that clean and purify your air. These solutions will help eliminate the smell from cooking food, smoke, pets, and mildew. If you would like to know more about the benefits of having your home’s air purified call us today at 801-930-0629 to learn more.
HVAC UV lighting: Ultraviolet light has been used in medical settings for over 100 years to fight bacteria in hospitals. UV lights are typically installed in your return air system and run 24 hours a day to eliminate 97% more bacteria than air that is filtered without these lights. There are two types of sanitizers a coil sterilizer that shines UV light on the air handler. The second type is a complete air sterilizer that will purify moving air within your system.
Duct cleaning services: The final method we will discuss in this article is to have your air ducts professionally cleaned. The air in your home gets circulated through these air ducts so it makes sense that having them clean will help keep your indoor air clean. You should have your ducts cleaned at least once every 3-5 years to reduce the number of allergens and other pollutants that get circulated throughout your home.
