Merts Heating & Air Conditioning has been preaching to the choir for many years about the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) as part of the HVAC systems in your Illinois or Northwest Indiana home. Perhaps spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, it feels like more people are now listening. Let’s examine some of the primary goals when it comes to improving IAQ.
Eliminate Airborne Irritants
This starts with proper HVAC filtration. Quality filters remove smaller particles from the air. One upgrade to consider is ditching those one-inch-thick filters for a four-inch media filter. Merts can show you several options including air purifiers that do much more than just remove particles from the air.
Assure Proper Ventilation
Tightly sealed homes are great for energy efficiency, but not so great for good indoor air quality. Without ventilation, dirty air is trapped inside the house. The simple solution is opening doors and windows but clearly that’s not always feasible. Merts can show you ways to bring in more fresh air without compromising energy efficiency.
Correct Humidity Level
This is one of the most ignored aspects of IAQ. Primarily the extremely dry air present during winter in Illinois and Northwest Indiana. The ideal humidity in your home is 40 to 45 percent. During the winter that number can drop into the teens. Raising the humidity level, usually by adding a humidifier, has several advantages:
- Your indoor air quality is healthier. Research consistently proves viruses spread more easily and live longer when the air is dry.
- Dry air can cause wood floors and furniture to warp & crack.
- Proper humidity levels make you feel warmer, meaning you can turn the heat down a couple of degrees and cut your monthly utility bills.
Don’t Ignore HVAC Maintenance
The other factor that is totally within your control when it comes to improving indoor air quality is the condition of your HVAC systems. Regular heating and air conditioner maintenance includes cleaning the components which limits the amount of dirt and dust that is spread around the house. Additionally, maintenance improves efficiency and performance.
Ready to Help You
If you want to live healthier, call Merts Heating & Air Conditioning to learn more about improving the indoor air quality in your Steger, IL or Crown Point, IN home. If nothing else, the more than year-long battle against the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the importance of being proactive rather than reactive. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more great information like this.