There’s no denying that summer is here, and with all of us spending more time in our homes these days, it’s likely you want to be as comfortable as possible, right? This begins with ensuring that your air conditioner is properly maintained, of course. If you haven’t scheduled an AC tune-up yet, now is the time.
Indoor comfort, though, also is achieved through high quality and breathable air. No matter what time of the year it is and no matter the circumstances, inadequate indoor air quality is a concern for homeowners. Virus transmission is a risk, while contaminants like pollen, dust, and smoke can also get trapped in your living space, causing asthma and allergy symptoms. Long-term exposure to pollutants can cause chronic symptoms as well, like fatigue and respiratory distress.
The good news is, we have solutions! Read on as we uncover a few easy ways to ensure the air you breathe is healthy.
Replace Your HVAC Air Filter
Before we go any further, we have to clear up a misconception. Homeowners often believe that the only purpose of the air filter that comes with their HVAC system is to protect indoor air quality—but it’s actually in place to protect the HVAC system itself from dust, dirt, and other debris that can infiltrate its components and do the system harm.
But, a clogged up or dirty air filter will certainly still hurt your indoor air quality. It doesn’t allow for debris like dust and allergens to escape your indoor air, so these contaminants just keep circulating throughout your household. Additionally, a clogged air filter restricts airflow and hurts the efficiency of your HVAC system—which is a whole blog post of its own!