Most people think their HVAC system’s only role is to make the home’s ambient temperature comfortable. But did you know your HVAC system’s primary purpose is to maintain good IAQ (indoor air quality) through adequate ventilation, humidity control, and thermal comfort? And how you keep your HVAC system can positively or negatively influence your home’s IAQ. These machines force air through filters and other components, but if dust and debris are stuck within, you’re recirculating indoor air pollutants inside your home.
Indoor air pollution is a pressing problem because people are more complacent indoors than outside. If you don’t follow indoor air quality guidelines, it can worsen allergies and lead to upper respiratory infections. Poor indoor air cleaning of HVAC systems can also promote a moist environment that allows molds and bacteria to thrive. Since you and your loved ones spend much time at home, you could get sick more often. Avoid this scenario by using these effective indoor air quality strategies to keep your HVAC system clean.
Replace HVAC Filters
A dirty HVAC filter won’t do its job, so clean or replace it every three months. However, if you have pets or family members who suffer from allergies, do this once a month. You can also use indoor air quality sensors that tell you the level of substances in the air. Before levels get dangerously high, stay proactive and clean the filters. You can also use other IAQ products, like an air purifier machine, to enjoy cleaner air.
Clean Surrounding Area
One of the most straightforward IAQ solutions you can do is clean the area around your HVAC units. Clean the condenser, commonly found outside. Remove dirt, leaves, branches, and other debris near it. You may also remove debris collecting in the condenser coils with store-bought products.
Sanitize Air Vents
Sanitize vents in a split, window, or floor AC or the floor vents for centralized systems to maintain correct IAQ standards. These accumulate dirt and debris over time and with continual use of the HVAC. All air passes through these vents and then gets circulated in your home. Make sure you breathe clean air by dusting and vacuuming each vent slat. This routine will also prevent debris from clogging up your system.
Test HVAC Before Seasonal Changes
For countries with seasonal weather that rely on heat and cold air to control the ambient temperature at home, it’s essential to have your system checked before the weather changes. You can easily do this by changing the thermostat for centralized units. Some programmable thermostats allow you to encode your preferred settings for specific time frames.
Get Professional Routine Inspections
Don’t wait for your HVAC or IAQ sensor to conk out to alert you that it’s performing poorly. It would be best to have routine cleaning every year for the compressor. Professionals must clean the ducts in a central unit every 3 to 3 years. Clogged ducts don’t only block airflow, but they are a breeding ground for dust mites, bacteria, and insects.
Take care of your equipment and prevent malfunction. Keep HVAC clean to keep allergies under control and prevent respiratory health issues. Ensure the air from your HVAC is clean by constantly checking your home’s IAQ with an indoor air quality monitor, which identifies particulate matter in your atmosphere.
