Improve Indoor Air Quality

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Changing your HVAC filter will improve air quality in your home.

Well, it's that time of year again where we're all stuck indoors either staring at each other, or our smartphones, all day long because Mother Nature refuses to cooperate with any outside plans. Which brings me to my question: When's the last time you changed your HVAC air filter for your house? Hmm? I can’t remember when I did …and if that's the case, it's time to change it, trust me! You see, your air filter is like the lint trap in your dryer, and NEEDS to be changed at least every two months, if not every month. In the wintertime it's suggested to change every month and upgrade your filter since we're all stuck indoors a lot more than usual, and so the collection of particulates in the air is greater. By changing your filter it will increase your air quality. It will also help increase the functionality of your HVAC system to run more efficiently as well. A dirty air filter is one of the main causes for system breakdowns. When your air filter is maxed out with dust and such, your system has to work harder to do its job. This will reflect on your utility bill & can also cause your unit to overheat and cost you more money!

Check your filter’s condition and change it once a month if:

• You run your unit six months a year to year-round.
• You have pets.  Pet dander can become airborne and circulate through the home’s ventilation system just as typical household dust does.
• You smoke indoors.
• You or someone in your household suffers from allergies or a respiratory condition.
• You have a fireplace that you occasionally use.
• You live on a working farm or ranch.  Dust and dirt that gets kicked up by outdoor work activity and/or large animals can be pulled into the home’s ventilation system, especially through open windows.
• There is construction taking place around or near the home.  You may be installing a new roof or a pool, or perhaps a neighbor is building a home or addition. 

Change the filter immediately if:

• The filter is damaged.  Whether it happened inside the packaging or while being installed, a damaged filter that has bent fins, collapsed cells or holes will not work as well as an undamaged filter, especially if it allows system air to bypass the filter at any point. 
• The filter is damp.  A filter affected by moisture intrusion, system condensation, or even high indoor humidity can quickly become moldy and spread airborne mold spores throughout the home via the ventilation system. 
• There is evidence of microbial growth or mold on the filter. 

Also having your HVAC duct system cleaned can improve the air quality in your home. 

 How often should you have your residential HVAC systems be cleaned?

 

Frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, not the least of which is the preference of the homeowner. Some of the things that may lead a homeowner to consider more frequent cleaning include:

• smokers in the household
• pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander
• water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system
• residents with allergies or asthma who might benefit from a reduction in the amount of indoor air pollutants in the home’s HVAC system
• after home renovations or remodeling
• prior to occupancy of a new home.

Call SERVPRO of North Huntsville with any questions concerning indoor air quality, HVAC duct cleaning or mold  (256) 534-1177