How Your HVAC System Affects Indoor Air Quality in Melbourne
Indoor air quality, or IAQ, is a hot button for homeowners everywhere. It affects everything from your physical well-being to your comfort and more. In coastal Florida, high humidity negatively impacts air quality. It can also contribute to mold and mildew growth in the home, which also lowers IAQ. You might not realize it, but your HVAC system directly affects the air you breathe at home. How exactly does your HVAC system impact air quality?
What Is Indoor Air Quality and Why It Matters
Indoor air quality describes how healthy your air is inside your home. This air can be polluted by dust, mold, and pet dander. It might also contain pollutants like carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds from your furniture, cleaning supplies, and cooking. In addition to potentially making your home smell unusual or even bad, poor IAQ also contributes to health symptoms like headaches, fatigue, sneezing, sore throats, and more. Florida’s warm temperatures and high humidity add strain to your HVAC system, which can make poor air quality more noticeable and problematic.
How Your HVAC System Impacts Indoor Air Quality
The condition and performance of your home’s HVAC system play a major role in IAQ. In fact, it affects air circulation, air filtration, dust control, and humidity control. Let’s take a closer look at these factors.
Air Circulation Throughout the Home
Your HVAC system is responsible for circulating air throughout your home, so it moves air pollutants from room to room. When air does not circulate properly, poor ventilation results in the pollutants and airborne allergens building up in the air in each room. Because pollutants get trapped indoors, IAQ grows increasingly poorer.
Air Filtration and Dust Control
Your HVAC system is responsible for doing more than circulating air. As this air circulates, the air filters capture dust, pollen, and other pollutants. When the HVAC system’s filters and ducts are dirty or when low-quality filters are used, fewer air pollutants are trapped and removed.
Humidity Control
Humid air feels sticky and uncomfortable, and it increases the likelihood of mildew and mold growing in your home. Your HVAC system removes excess moisture while cooling your home. However, to function properly, the system must be well-maintained and the right size for your home.
Common HVAC-Related IAQ Problems in Melbourne Homes
While there are many steps that you can take to improve IAQ at home, focusing on your HVAC system should be at the top of the list. In fact, these are some of the common indoor air quality problems in Melbourne homes that you can address by maintaining your HVAC system:
- Dirty air filters
- Dusty or leaky ductwork
- Mold or mildew inside the system
- Poor ventilation
- Aging or inefficient HVAC equipment
How HVAC Maintenance Improves Indoor Air Quality
One of the best steps that you can take to care for your HVAC system is to schedule regular maintenance service. Through maintenance service, your HVAC system will get a tune-up, ensuring that every component functions properly. This service removes the buildup of dust, airborne allergens, and other debris in the HVAC system, on the vents, and on the filters. Replacing filters with HEPA filters also helps to remove more pollutants from the air. Keep in mind that failing to give your HVAC system the regular care that it needs can actually spread contaminants throughout your home. This is because pollutants in the ducts and system build up and circulate in growing quantities.
Indoor Air Quality Solutions Through Your HVAC System
Your HVAC technician can help you explore proven indoor air quality solutions during your next appointment. These include high-efficiency air filters, whole-home air purifiers, dehumidifiers, UV lights, and ventilation options.
High-Efficiency Air Filters
Air filters are labeled with a MERV rating, which describes how efficiently a filter removes finer particles from the air. A higher rating is better. Typically, a rating between eight and 13 is recommended for home use. However, because of Florida’s unique climate, a rating between 13 and 16 should be considered.
Whole-Home Air Purifiers
You can install a whole-home air purifier to aid in capturing pollutants and removing them from your home. Air purifiers are capable of removing finer debris than what high-efficiency air filters can. For this ready, an air purifier is recommended for homes with allergy and asthma sufferers.
Dehumidifiers
Moisture and high humidity are problematic in Melbourne because of the local climate. Your HVAC system may not be able to keep your home as comfortable as you want it to be on exceptionally humid days, so a whole home dehumidifier should be considered. A dehumidifier will also reduce the likelihood of mold and mildew growth related to indoor humidity.
UV Lights and Ventilation Options
UV lights are effective at eradicating viruses, bacteria, and mold, which directly improves IAQ. These lights can be combined with UV air filters, which trap more pet dander and other debris that the air filters might miss. Your HVAC technician can help you explore your home’s specific benefits.
Signs Your HVAC System May Be Hurting Your Indoor Air Quality
The tiny particles that decrease IAQ in your home are difficult to see, but you can easily spot signs of their presence. For example, you might notice increased allergy symptoms indoors or smell something stale and musty. You might also notice that your home is getting dusty faster than it once did after cleaning. HVAC system problems, such as poor airflow or uneven temperatures, can also indicate poor IAQ.
When to Call a Professional for Indoor Air Quality Concerns
If you’ve noticed any of these signs of poor IAQ, it’s time to call a professional. Through a professional IAQ assessment, you can learn more about the cleanliness of the air in your home and identify top areas of concern. You will also receive specific recommendations tailored to your home’s specific concerns and needs.
Why Melbourne Homeowners Trust One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating
One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating is the HVAC service company that Melbourne homeowners know and trust. Our skilled technicians are committed to helping you breather cleaner, healthier air at home. As local expertise on managing HVAC systems with the local climate in mind, we always focus on comfort, health, and reliable service. Remember, we’re always on time, or you don’t pay a dime.
Call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating
The care and upkeep of your HVAC system directly impact the quality of the air you breathe at home. Now’s the time to be proactive and give your HVAC system the attention it needs. Call us today for an IAQ assessment to improve air quality and comfort.