The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that indoor air pollution is a significant environmental health concern. Pollution often has internal and external sources. It’s typically more concentrated indoors due to less circulation and ventilation. In addition, the average person spends over 90% of their time indoors. There are many strategies available to promote and maintain good indoor air quality (IAQ). Let’s explore why they’re worth it.
Seasonal HVAC Tune-Ups
The HVAC industry recommendation is to schedule two maintenance appointments a year. Schedule a cooling tune-up in the spring and a heating tune-up in the fall. One reason is that HVAC equipment accumulates dust and grime over time. Those particles can permeate your conditioned air. That can worsen allergy symptoms and irritate and inflame the respiratory systems even in people who don’t have allergies or asthma.
Routine HVAC tune-ups are also a good decision for your wallet, especially if you join an HVAC maintenance plan that includes discounts and perks. Most HVAC warranties require professional maintenance as a condition of coverage. Cleaner equipment runs more efficiently. That translates into lower operating costs and a smaller carbon footprint. Regular upkeep helps avoid common repairs and results in systems that last longer and age more gracefully.
Maintenance Plans
A common problem is forgetting to schedule maintenance. Consider taking advantage of a maintenance plan. Your HVAC provider will handle the scheduling, and membership often comes with other perks. You’ll get a discounted rate on your two maintenance appointments each year. Maintenance members receive priority service. They also get a discount on labor and parts for repairs, installations, and other services.
Duct Inspections and Services
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends a routine duct inspection for all homes with central HVAC systems. Routine tune-ups don’t include duct camera inspections, but you can schedule those services at the same time. During that appointment, a technician will use a high-definition camera to spot problems that can undermine IAQ.
Duct Cleaning
Even with good dusting habits and regular HVAC maintenance, dust will build up in your ducts over time. That accumulation can eventually lead to blockages that undermine energy efficiency. Problems with IAQ can happen much earlier than that. Dust is a big IAQ concern because it can harbor dust mites and it acts like a sponge. It absorbs other pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Dust extends the life of those substances and continues to emit them into your air.
According to the NADCA, the average household needs professional duct cleaning every three to five years. You should schedule a duct inspection every other year. If your ducts need cleaning, your technician will use a powerful vacuuming system to remove that debris.
Duct Sealing
Regular duct inspections are also important because they can reveal air leakage. The Department of Energy (DOE) warns that leakage can cause the loss of as much as 40% of your conditioned air. This is bad from the perspectives of both operating costs and carbon footprint. It’s also bad for IAQ because it lets air from the attic or crawl space into the home.
To correct leakage, the EPA recommends duct sealing with a non-toxic aerosol. Your technician will spray the aerosol into your ducts. It will restore the seals between sections and close small punctures, which will reduce the leakage to less than 5%. That will improve your IAQ and have a dramatic impact on your heating and cooling bills.
Premium HVAC Filters
All HVAC systems have a filter you should check regularly and wash or replace as needed. HVAC systems are not air purifiers, and the core goal of these filters is to protect the equipment. That said, good filter choices and habits can help promote good IAQ.
The industry rates filter effectiveness using the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). The higher the MERV rating, the better the filtration. Choose a filter with as high a MERV rating as your system allows. Most modern systems support between MERV 8 and 13. Don’t use a filter with too high a MERV rating or even a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Those will increase air pressure too much, resulting in higher operating costs and additional equipment wear.
Smart Thermostats
The DOE recommends programmable thermostats because they can lower annual heating and cooling costs by up to 10%. Smart thermostats are programmable thermostats with Wi-Fi capabilities and, often, other advanced features. Through scheduling and machine learning, a thermostat can result in smarter and less frequent HVAC cycling. They can remind you to check filters and schedule maintenance. Some even support remote sensors not only for temperature but also IAQ and relative humidity (RH).
In-Duct Air Purification
It can be difficult to keep pollution out of the home. Even if you’re vigilant about the cleaners and furnishings you choose, there are outside concerns. Those include pollution from traffic, manufacturing plants, fires, and fuel-burning HVAC systems.
The best way to ensure your indoor air is as pollutant-free as possible is with in-duct air purification. There are many approaches to indoor air purification, including traditional air purifiers with HEPA filters and activated carbon.
More modern approaches use techniques like ultraviolet (UV) light and hydrogen-peroxide plasma. The leading product on the market that employs this approach is the REME HALO in-duct air purifier by RGF. The UV light neutralizes bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It also interacts with a catalyst to create the hydro-peroxide plasma. The system then disperses that plasma where it binds with and neutralizes particulate matter, odors, VOCs, and more. This means that the air purification not only occurs in your ducts but throughout your home.
Your installer can adjust the REME HALO to the size of your home. That will ensure that the system cleans all the air in your home at least five times an hour. You do need a technician to replace the UV mechanism, but those cells last about two years for most users.
Relative Humidity Control
RH is an oft-overlooked aspect of IAQ. The EPA encourages maintaining an indoor RH between 30% and 60%. Many people feel most comfortable at between 40% and 50%. When RH is too high, it can make breathing more difficult and allow mold and dust mites to flourish. When RH is too low, it can irritate and even inflame your respiratory system.
If you experience high RH in summer, a whole-house dehumidifier is the solution. It will remove moisture from the air to decrease RH. Your AC also won’t have to work as hard, which will save you money on operating costs and wear. Households with dehumidifiers can often decrease their summer temperature by several degrees. If you experience low RH in winter, a whole-house humidifier is the solution. It will add moisture to your air to increase RH. That may allow you to raise your temperature several degrees and save that way as well.
Indoor Air Quality Specialists in Hillsboro
Pro Heating and Cooling, Inc. is a family-owned and -operated HVAC company that serves Hillsboro, OR and the surrounding areas. We’re an EPA-certified ACCA member that employs NATE-certified technicians. Our team installs, repairs, seals, and cleans ducts. We also install and service IAQ solutions, including premium HVAC filters, in-duct air purifiers, and whole-house humidity control. Contact us today to learn more about these products and services.
