Did you know that the EPA determined indoor air quality is worse than outdoor air quality? If you want to be the exception to this stat, we suggest a subscription to the J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing ESP Preventable Maintenance plan for your home HVAC system. When you consider that the average person spends around 90% of their time indoors, it’s clear that indoor air quality is important for our health. In fact, poor indoor air quality can lead to an array of health issues, including asthma, headaches, fatigue, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and even cardiovascular disease.
The good news is that with a few simple strategies, you can help improve your home’s air quality and help your family breathe more easily. Also, improved indoor air quality can save you money on your energy expenses. When the air is cleaner, your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to produce the desired temperature for your home. The experts at J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing provide repair, maintenance, and replacement for your home AC/HVAC in Jacksonville, Florida.
Ways to Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with Preventable Maintenance Plans
1 – Keep Your Home Clean
One of the best ways to improve the air quality in your home is by keeping your home clean. When you regularly clean your home, you remove dust, dirt, chemicals, bacteria, and other germs from your environment. Dusting weekly helps to remove small particles that build upon the surfaces of your home. These particles come from your air and remain in your home if you do not want dust.
Also, vacuum weekly to remove dirt and germs from your floors. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to keep dust particles from leaking back into your home. Bathrooms are another area that can contribute to poor indoor air quality. Mold and mildew can build up on bathroom fixtures, walls, and floors. Mold and mildew are dangerous for your health. Keep your home clean to improve air quality and peace of mind.
2 – Use a Dehumidifier
In humid climates like Florida, dehumidifiers are an excellent tool to help maintain correct humidity levels in your home. Too much humidity can lead to problems like mold and mildew buildup, which leads to poor air quality. The market offers a variety of energy-efficient dehumidifiers for home use.
3 – Change Your HVAC Air Filter
It’s recommended that homeowners change their HVAC air filters every one to three months. Your air filter’s job is to trap the dust, dirt, mold spores, smoke, pet hair, and other grime in your air. If your air filter isn’t changed regularly, it can’t correctly filter air. Also, your HVAC unit must work harder to push air through your system if your air filter is dirty. A clean air filter improves air quality, extends the life of your unit, and saves you money.
4 – Conduct a Radon Inspection
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is an odorless gas that can cause unnecessary health problems for your family. The scary part is that radon exposure can happen in any home despite the age of the home. Also, just because your home tested low for radon previously, it doesn’t mean you are safe forever. Changes in your home, like settling the foundation, can allow radon to find a way to leak into your home. This means that you should test your home for radon every few years. This will ensure your family isn’t exposed to dangerous levels of radon.
5 – Air Duct Cleaning
One sign that your home may need air duct cleaning is if your energy bill suddenly increases. This can signal that your HVAC system is working harder to push air through the air ducts. Over time, the dust, debris, and grime in your home’s air build up in your duct system. Also, things that are dropped into vents or registers, like pet hair, lint, and Legos, remain in your air ducts until they are removed.
Vacuum out your registers regularly to clean surface dirt and debris. Schedule air duct cleaning routinely to keep your ducts clean and your HVAC system working efficiently.
6 – Use Natural Elements
If indoor air quality is worse than outdoor air quality, it makes sense to open the windows and let fresh air inside. During the times of day when the outside temperature is more moderate, like afternoons in the winter and early mornings in the summer, open your home’s windows. This allows dirty air to circulate out of your home.
Another natural way to purify your home’s air is with houseplants. Plants help clean the air naturally and provide an easy décor option. Remember, if you have young children or pets, place any poisonous plants high enough where little hands and paws can’t reach them.
7 – Subscribe to an HVAC Preventable Maintenance Plan
Stay on top of your HVAC maintenance to help improve your home’s air quality. Preventative HVAC maintenance usually includes air filter replacement. Also, your technician evaluates and cleans your system to improve energy efficiency and identify any necessary repairs. HVAC maintenance is a smart way to keep your system working correctly, save money, and keep your family healthy.
Breathe Easier
Don’t settle for poor indoor air quality for your family. Ensure that the air your family breathes isn’t causing many common and preventable health issues people, young and old, experience. Use these strategies to help reduce indoor air pollutants.
J&W Heating and Air + Plumbing provides HVAC services in Jacksonville, Florida. We offer Preventable Maintenance Plans to help improve your home’s air quality. Contact us today to schedule maintenance or an inspection. We have over 55 years of quality experience to offer our customers.
