Indoor Air Quality Tips For Your Home HVAC System
Whether providing cool or warm air, your HVAC system works by first drawing air in and then forcing this back out into the living environment. It does this via a connected network of ducts and channels.
Unfortunately, the air that comes out of your HVAC system is not always clean, and it may even be a source of harmful pollutants.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA reports that there are multiple sources of indoor air pollution including:
- Tobacco smoke
- Cleaning agents
- Asbestos-containing building materials and insulation
- Combustion appliances that burn fuel
- Pollen concentrations
Pollutants like these get moved about by your home HVAC system. They can cause health issues including fatigue, and irritation of the throat and eyes. The long-term impact of indoor air pollutants can also result in potentially debilitating respiratory diseases.
The HVAC system filters function as barriers between the compound parts of your home HVAC system and the air output. When air gets drawn in, particulates are captured and retained by the filter. There are also advanced HVAC systems for the home that have an extra filter right at the air exhaust. This extra filter acts as further prevention against pollutants that might otherwise get blown into the living environment.
HVAC Filters And Indoor Air Quality Enfield CT
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Most consumers know that their HVAC filters have to be changed on a regular basis.
However, what a lot of people don’t understand is just how often these changes should occur. They also may not be aware that the need for filter changes tends to vary from one home to another. Many considerations must be made to ensure good indoor air quality.
When you shop for a replacement filter for your home HVAC system, you should start by getting in touch with the original HVAC system manufacturer or a local HVAC company. You need to find an air filter replacement with the correct MERV or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The higher that the MERV number is, the better a filter will be at removing pollutants and other particulates. The only drawback of using filters with high MERV ratings is that these options may diminish overall airflow and thus, they might have a negative impact on your home HVAC system’s mechanical integrity. Talk with the original manufacturer of your HVAC system or an HVAC technician to find out how high the MERV rating should be.
The Type Of HVAC Filter You Use Makes A Difference
Saving money shouldn’t be your only concern when buying a filter as you certainly don’t want to get an affordable filter panel that isn’t compatible with the HVAC system you own. Also, when you buy a cheap filter, you’ll also have to replace this component more frequently, which means that you’ll probably wind up spending about the same or more as you would by purchasing a high-quality filter from the outset.
Filter Changes: The Frequency Of Replacements
If you currently have many pets in the home, then you should probably change your filter every few weeks. This schedule is also useful to follow if you reside in a highly polluted or dusty area, or if you have severe allergies.
Conversely, if you live in a very temperate climate and barely use your home HVAC equipment at all, you can change your filter every few months. You should, however, make sure to change your filter at least once each spring and once each fall, which is right when indoor air pollutants rise.
Single occupant homes and vacation homes that lack furry pets can suffice with having filter changes every several months or even just once each year. For the typical suburban home, filters replacements should occur approximately every 90 days. The filter usually needs a replacement once every 20 to 45 days if you have multiple pets or household residents with severe allergies or respiratory issues.
The best way to figure out when to change your filter is by checking it often. Replace it when it appears dirty.
The Benefits That Come With Regular Filter Changes
In addition to protecting your entire household from harmful, airborne pollutants that can get into and irritate the airways and lungs, changing your filter on a regular basis can provide a wealth of cost and energy-saving benefits as well. In essence, air filter changes will save you money.
Swapping an old and dirty filter out with a new one will lower the amount of energy that your HVAC system consumes by several percentage points – according to the US Dept. of Energy. In fact, this reduction can be as much as 15 percent. Once you change the filter, your HVAC won’t have to push against a veritable wall of dirt. Having a clean filter will make your HVAC system genuinely efficient. Moreover, using less energy to heat your home will additionally result in a significantly lower energy bill.
Conclusion
Miller Oil Company is staffed by a talented team of NATE-Certified technicians who can help you with all your HVAC maintenance and repair needs.
We provide honest and affordable HVAC services throughout the area and can help you improve the energy efficiency and indoor air quality of your home. A properly maintained HVAC system will give you and your family optimum levels of comfort during times of even the most severe weather. Get in touch with Miller Oil Company right now to schedule your appointment.
Some of the areas that we service include Enfield, Melrose, Somers, Somersville, and these zip codes: 06082, 06049, 06071, 06072, as well as all surrounding areas in Hartford County, Connecticut.
Contact us today or give us a call at (860) 745-0326 if you have any questions.