Indoor Air Quality Can Suffer in the Spring — 9 Tips to Avoid It

Good indoor air quality is a challenge to maintain in springtime in the Delaware area. Pollen, mold spores and increasing humidity all work against healthful indoor air. To stay comfortable and avoid allergy symptoms this spring, take proactive steps to keep your home’s air clean.

1. Install better air filters — Fiberglass panel filters protect your HVAC system, but don’t clean the air. To improve your indoor air quality, choose a filter with a MERV between seven and 13.
2. Control humidity — The high humidity common in the Northeast contributes to dust mite and mold growth. Installing a dehumidifier helps reduce your indoor humidity to a level that inhibits the growth of these microorganisms.
3. Add a UV air cleaner — These air cleaners fit in your HVAC system and control the growth of mold, bacteria and viruses in the air circulating through.
4. Improve your ventilation — Consider installing a whole-house ventilation system such as a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) system. This will bring in fresh air and exhausts stale air without wasting conditioned air the way opening a window does.
5. Schedule an HVAC inspection — An HVAC expert can identify and repair leaks in your fuel-burning appliances, and leaks in your ducts that could pull toxic fumes into your home.
6. Control dust mites — Regularly washing your bedding in temperatures of at least 130 degrees kills dust mites that can trigger allergy symptoms.
7. Clean carefully — Dust with a damp cloth or microfiber cloth to pick up dust instead of spreading it. Keep surfaces clutter-free so air contaminants have fewer places to collect.
8. Avoid scented products — Air fresheners, scented cleaners and fabric softeners all contribute to the amount of harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in your home.
9. Keep debris outdoors — Your shoes track in dust, pollen, mold spores and other air contaminants even if you can’t see those contaminants. Remove your shoes when you come indoors and change into house slippers.

For more expert tips on improving your indoor air quality, contact us at Sobieski Services. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).

Image Credit: cuellar