It feels pretty safe to say that most homeowners are going to prioritize maintaining comfortable temperatures in their home. Around here, that typically means running their air conditioning systems throughout much of the year, thanks to our hotter climate, though we use our heating systems to do so in the winter, too. What too many homeowners overlook, unfortunately, is the quality of the air in their homes. This should be every bit as big a priority.
Now, the tricky thing about maintaining great indoor air quality is that poor indoor air quality may not be quite as obvious as, say, very hot temperatures in one’s home. Additionally, there are some causes of low indoor air quality that truly are beyond our means of control. The fact that you cannot do much to address the influencing factor, however, does not mean that you cannot successfully manage the symptom. Here are some situations to be aware of, courtesy of your trusted HVAC company in Flora Vista, NM.
Proximity to Major Roadways, Active Construction Sites, and Wooded Areas
You can go ahead and try, but chances are you won’t get enough petitions on your signature to reconfigure the layout of roads or to shut down construction sites in your area. Times change, and sometimes we wind up rubbing elbows with new properties and roads that were not there when our homes were purchased. That does not mean, however, that you need to dig up roots and move out of town.
Just remember that the dust and dirt kicked up by the activities in and around such areas are not going to be adequately dealt with by the air filter in your HVAC systems. That standard filter is really there for the benefit of the system itself, not the air quality throughout your home. Using a designated air filtration system can make a world of difference in such cases.
Pets. We Love Them Too.
But man, they can be a hassle when it comes to keeping the house tidy. Not only do they leave behind a lot of fur and dirt from their paws, but they can stink, too! Vacuuming and sweeping regularly is going to help with the big stuff but, again, the use air quality systems can really help.
Dander and pet odors may be best combatted with an electronic air filtration system, which is a bit more complex than a basic air filter that relies on airflow to force pollutants into its grasp. An electronic air filter will ionize particulate matter in the air, trapping it on oppositely charged collector plates.
Germs and Bacteria (and Even Mold Spores)
There is no way that you are going to be able to completely eliminate germs and bacteria from your home, no more than you’d be willing to get rid of your beloved mutt just because she leaves a bunch of hair on the sofa. What you can do, though, is kill off such germs and bacteria, along with other biological contaminants, with UV air purifiers.
These systems are totally safe for pets and people in the house, even your little ones, but devastating to such pollutants. There is no simple fix for indoor air quality issues. The most effective approach is usually a multi-pronged attack!