How HVAC Maintenance Can Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
The air quality in your Briarwood, Kentucky, home can have a significant impact on your family’s health. Polluted indoor air contains dust, mites, harmful chemicals, and other contaminants that can contribute to a wide range of health problems, from cold symptoms and asthma attacks to bronchitis and lung cancer. In addition to keeping your home warm and cozy, your HVAC system helps enhance your indoor air quality. Here are four ways proper HVAC maintenance can lead to better indoor air quality.
Replacing the Air Filter
Your HVAC unit’s air filter keeps your indoor air clean by preventing dirt, dust, pollen, and other harmful particles from getting into your living space. When the filter’s clogged, it won’t be able to trap contaminants effectively, allowing them to build up inside certain components of your system. Soon, they’ll make their way into your living space through the ductwork, vents, and registers, resulting in poor indoor air quality.
You can improve the air quality in your home by replacing your air filter regularly. Check the filter at least once a month. If you see a thick coating of dirt on it, replace it immediately. Generally, you should replace your air filters once every 30 to 90 days during the heating season.
Cleaning and Checking the Ducts
If you’re using a central HVAC system, periodically make sure your air ducts are clean and in good condition. The ducts can accumulate dirt, dust, and debris over time and circulate them throughout your home along with the conditioned air. In addition, have your ducts inspected for leaks. Cracks, holes, and loose connections in your ductwork can result in weak airflow and poor circulation, which can worsen your indoor air quality.
Cleaning air ducts is a task that’s best left to experienced HVAC professionals. This is because some parts of the ducts are located in hard-to-reach areas and can only be thoroughly cleaned with specialized equipment. While they’re cleaning your ducts, the technicians will also look for leaks and repair them to ensure proper air circulation.
Cleaning the Evaporator Coil
If you have a heat pump, the unit’s evaporator coil works hard to enable your HVAC system to generate heat and reduce humidity levels in your home. If it’s dirty, it can cause your indoor air to become more humid. This not only affects your comfort but can also contribute to detrimental biological growth and high levels of dust mites that can lead to allergic reactions and asthma symptoms.
Most professionals recommend you have your HVAC unit’s evaporator coil cleaned twice a year. However, you might have to clean it more often if your home is located in a dusty area, is near the street, your HVAC system is old, or the unit runs frequently. To make sure your evaporator coil is properly cleaned, hire a trained technician who has the skills to do the job safely.
Cleaning the Condensate Drain Line
Your HVAC unit produces moisture and drains it through the condensate drain line. If you don’t clean the drain line regularly, it can become clogged and cause water to back up into the drain pan. This can increase humidity levels, promote harmful biological growth, and lead to musty odors. If the water in the drain pan overflows, it can cause costly damage to your HVAC unit or property.
Pour a cup of vinegar into the condensate drain line to prevent it from clogging to a certain extent. However, if you want to clean it thoroughly or it’s already clogged, the best thing to do is call an HVAC professional.
Regular HVAC maintenance plays an important role in keeping your indoor air clean and your family healthy. If you want to maintain good air quality in your home, consider signing up for an annual HVAC maintenance program. Contact one of our professionals at One Choice Mechanical, LLC at 502-242-8204 for high-quality HVAC maintenance and indoor air quality services.
Image provided by Shutterstock
