When the temperatures are high, we tend to stay at home and rely on our air conditioners to keep us comfy. But staying indoors requires us to have clean air that circulates throughout our home.
Several items in the house can affect indoor air quality, such as chemicals, gas, and beauty products. These pollutants can irritate the eyes, cause allergies, headaches, and fatigue. Prolonged exposure to indoor air contaminants can even cause certain types of cancer and compromise the lungs.
For this reason, it is essential to take the necessary steps to purify your indoor air, making sure you and your family breathe in nothing but clean, fresh air.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your all-around HVAC company in Fridley MN. We offer highly efficient air purification systems engineered to eliminate household pollutants and keep your home a comfortable and safe refuge.
Here are practical tips to help you improve your home’s indoor air quality this summer.
Floor Cleaning
One of the parts of the house that is easily contaminated is your flooring. When your family goes in and out of the house, contaminants like dirt, dust, pollen, and allergens can get inside, triggering allergies and asthma. To minimize the risk of these health issues, simply leave your shoes at the door and clean your floors regularly.
Daily sweeping, particularly in high-traffic areas, is critical. Floors that you often use include the kitchen, which requires sweeping at least once per day to keep it clean. Don’t forget that light-colored flooring looks dirty much quicker compared to dark ones.
To effectively clean your floors, use a vacuum cleaner at least once a week, and put your heart into it. Weekends are great when you can spend enough time to remove accumulated dirt, especially in areas you don’t get to sweep daily.
To disinfect your floors, take a targeted approach. You don’t need to sanitize every level in your home each day. The areas you must regularly clean are the ones where you’re stepping into the house wearing your shoes. Also, make it a practice to leave outside shoes at the exterior of your home.
Filter Replacement or Cleaning
Your HVAC system has a filter that keeps dust, dirt, and other contaminants from entering the inside of the machine and circulating it throughout your home. Over time, the filter gets clogged, which compromises your home’s indoor air quality. To avoid inhaling polluted air, make it a habit to clean or replace your air filter at least once a month. Check your user’s manual to find out whether you have a reusable or a replaceable air filter.
Operating a Dehumidifier
Most of the known allergy triggers such as dust mites, mold and mildew develop in a humid environment, which always comes with summer. Excessive moisture can also damage your furnishings like wallpaper and wood floors and can leave behind nasty odors, especially in areas with condensation issues.
To combat over-humidification, use a whole-home dehumidifier, which effectively removes excess moisture and humidity from the air. A dehumidifier keeps your home’s ideal humidity levels and performs its task without any disruption or change to your daily routine.
Look for a dehumidifier that has the ENERGY STAR® label. These products are the same or better than standard products; only they use less energy. ENERGY STAR-approved dehumidifiers meet strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Department of Energy. Since these systems use less energy, they help you save money on your electricity bill and help protect the environment by causing fewer harmful emissions from power plants. And you get the features and quality you expect.
Professional HVAC Maintenance
The most important aspect of maintaining your HVAC system is to ensure it circulates nothing but clean, fresh air. While cleaning or replacing air filters is a relatively easy maintenance step anyone can perform, keeping your indoor air clean goes beyond mere filter management. With the help of an HVAC professional, you are sure the other parts of the system such as ducts, coils, vents, and registers, are thoroughly clean. This process will ensure your HVAC system effectively captures pollutants.
Want Clean Air in Your Home? Call the Experts
To ensure only clean air circulates throughout your home, call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. We are your reliable St. Louis Park heating and air conditioning company.