Are you taking advantage of your heating and cooling system to improve your home’s indoor air quality? If you suffer from allergies or just want cleaner air in your home, here are some simple solutions to help you improve the air quality inside your home.
Use Filters That Improve Indoor Air Quality
Purchase quality air filters, a good filter should be rigid and have many pleats. To find the best filters suitable for your HVAC system, check the MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rating). The higher the number the better the filter. But you may need to consult with your HVAC specialist to ensure that you heating and cooling system can push air through filters rated higher than 13. You can find out more about MERV ratings on the EPA’s website.
Once you have good filters installed, run the equipment fan continuously so you are constantly filtering the air. This is particularly necessary during the Spring months as the equipment will not be running as often and allergies are most prevalent.
Use Devices to Improve Your Home’s IAQ.
There are many air purifiers on the market that can help you improve IAQ. These can be installed in conjunction with the HVAC equipment which will be more effective than “stand alone” devices. I would recommend a consultation with an HVAC professional to discuss your options.
