St. Charles Indoor Air Quality Team
Seasonal HVAC tune-ups are a basic “must” for managing indoor air quality. A tune-up includes a comprehensive cleaning of your equipment. That’s important for ACs and heat pumps because microbial growth can build up on the evaporator coil. It’s important for fuel-burning heating systems because they vent carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
All home heating and cooling systems have one or more HVAC filters on the supply side. The industry measures those filters using the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). Most modern systems support between MERV 8 and 13. Cheap filters often have a rating between MERV 1 and 4. Using a higher MERV-rated filter can make a big difference in your air quality. Inspect your filter at least once a month. Replace it as soon as you can see dust building up on the surface.
If you have central HVAC, schedule a duct inspection every couple of years. Dust and other debris will accumulate in your ducts over time. The average household needs professional duct cleaning every several years. Another consideration is duct leakage. Leakage introduces air pollution while undermining comfort and energy efficiency. Duct sealing can eliminate most leakage. We also offer duct repair and renovation for more serious problems.
The EPA recommends maintaining a relative humidity between 30% and 60%. It can be difficult to achieve 30% in winter, especially if you run a furnace. A whole-house humidifier is a solution that will add moisture to your air. If your home is too humid in summer, a whole-house dehumidifier is a solution that will extract the excess moisture.
Our team also installs attic fans that can help with moisture control. These fans exhaust moist air not only from the attic, but the living spaces as well. Another advantage is the influx of fresh air. It will help to suppress concentration levels and make air pollution less of a risk.
A better approach to indoor air quality can help you avoid many pollutants.
- Dust
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Mold spores
- Insect debris