Indoor air pollution is a significant health risk, and pollutants are present at higher concentration levels inside than outside. Poor air quality is often an even greater concern in winter because you seal your home up tight to keep it warm. Let’s explore some effective methods for improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and maintaining that cleaner air.
Schedule a Fall Tune-Up
For IAQ purposes, there are two reasons to schedule a fall tune-up before running your heat. One reason is that grime builds up on combustion components and evaporator coils. Left uncleaned, those components will add pollutants to your air over the winter.
The other reason, if you have a fuel-burning heating system, is combustion. A byproduct of that combustion is dangerous gases. Our technician will ensure that your system is venting properly and that there aren’t any backdraft scenarios. We’ll also test your carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and recommend battery or unit replacement as needed.
Upgrade Your HVAC Filter
All duct-based heating systems have at least one filter and perhaps more. These filters keep dust out of the system but also help improve IAQ. Ensure that your filter is the right size. If you haven’t already, consider upgrading to a premium pleated filter that will last longer. We also encourage you to consider the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). MERV measures filter effectiveness. Many modern systems support MERV 13 or even higher. If you’re using a lower MERV than your system supports, you can improve IAQ by increasing it.
Monitor Your HVAC Filter and Replace It as Needed
Rather than replace your HVAC filter on a set schedule, check it at least once a month. You can’t see dust and other particles trapped inside the filter. When you see it caking up on the outside, the filter is saturated, and you need to replace it. Another indication is when you can hear a whistling sound. That’s air entering the system along the side of the filter.
Schedule a Duct Inspection
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends an annual duct inspection. An excellent time to schedule that inspection is alongside your fall HVAC tune-up. Using an advanced camera system, we’ll inspect your ducts and show them to you. If there’s significant dust accumulation in them, we recommend cleaning them. This is where we use a high-powered vacuum to remove all the dust and other debris from your ducts. That hard-to-reach dust is notable because it can pollute your air during the winter months.
The other concern with ducts is air leakage. Air leakage can lead to energy losses as high as 40%. It can also undermine IAQ by introducing dirty air from your attic or crawl space. If there are problems, we offer solutions. Our team can repair mounting hardware and replace entire sections. If your ducts have worn seals or cracks in the duct walls, we can seal them. We use the aerosol duct sealing method, which can reduce energy losses to less than 5%.
Improve Your Home’s Ventilation
A lack of ventilation is why pollutant concentration levels can build up in winter. You do get some circulation when the heating system cycles, but it’s often not enough. An effective way to improve ventilation is with a whole-house fan. These fans can either recirculate the air in the home or bring fresh air in from outdoors. You may worry that this will undermine your home heating, but there are fans designed specifically for this purpose. One option is a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). An HRV extracts heat energy from the stale air it vents to heat the fresh air it draws in. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is another option. An ERV works like an HRV with the added benefit of extracting moisture from the exhaust. It then adds moisture to the incoming fresh air.
Install a Whole-House Humidifier
Relative humidity (RH) measures airborne water vapor relative to temperature. Ambient air is dry in winter, and your heating cycles exacerbate this. That can lead to low RH in a home, and that causes respiratory irritation and other health issues. In some cases, installing an ERV is enough to offset this problem. Another solution is a humidifier. We can plumb a humidifier into your home’s plumbing so it has an automatic water supply. It will then add that moisture to the air after your system heats it but before it reaches your living areas.
Install an Air Purifier
Better ventilation can make a big difference in your home’s IAQ, but it won’t eliminate any pollutants and contaminants already present. To do that, you’ll need some form of air filtration. Your HVAC filter is effective but generally in a limited capacity. What we recommend is an in-duct air cleaner. It will clean all the air heated by your furnace or heat pump. If you have an HRV or ERV, it can clean all the air that comes through that system as well.
There is a wide range of in-duct air purification systems available. Traditional systems will pair activated charcoal with either a MERV or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Activated charcoal absorbs odors, gases, and airborne chemicals. HEPA filters trap even more than MERV filters at 99.97% efficiency at least. We’ll often recommend pairing a traditional air purifier with a germicidal light. An ultraviolet (UV) lamp can neutralize bacteria and viruses.
A popular example of an alternative to the traditional setup is the REME HALO air purifier. It has an integrated UV light. It also has a catalytic process that negatively charges ions. Those ions then disperse throughout your home to neutralize pollutants.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
If you haven’t, it’s a great time to upgrade to a smart thermostat. Scheduling helps minimize how often your system needs to cycle. Modern smart thermostats can read RH as well as temperature. They can also control components like humidifiers and whole-house fans.
Insulate Your Home
If your home’s insulation is old or inadequate, this is an excellent time to upgrade. We offer a wide range of options, including blow-in and spray foam insulation. New installation helps in two ways. It keeps your heating inside your home. Insulation also helps to avoid the unintended natural ventilation that can undermine IAQ.
Avoid Inadvertent Contamination
Households can inadvertently exacerbate their IAQ issues by introducing pollutants. Take care with how many houseplants you add to your home, and be careful not to overwater them. Bathe and groom pets outdoors on warmer days whenever possible. Avoid purchasing household cleaners that release potentially harmful chemicals into the air. Store all building materials, such as paints and solvents, outside the home. This is a good idea with cleaning materials too.
Do You Need Professional Help Improving Your IAQ?
Cowboys Air Conditioning & Heating has been helping San Antonio homeowners breathe easier since 1985. Our NATE-certified HVAC technicians specialize in all types of ducted and ductless heating and systems. We install, repair, clean, and seal ductwork. Our team installs and services smart thermostats, ventilation systems, humidity control equipment, air purifiers, and germicidal lights. We install a wide range of insulation options too. Call us today or contact us online to learn more about these services and to schedule an appointment to improve indoor air quality.
