Maintaining HVAC Helps Prevent Airborne Illness

A lot of viruses, bacteria, and the subsequent illnesses and complications they cause are airborne. This means that as a home or business owner, you have an opportunity to mitigate airborne illnesses by improving the quality of the air that you, your family, or/and your employees are breathing. Here’s what you should know about improving air quality in your home and how maintaining your HVAC filters can help–

What Contributes to Poor Indoor Air Quality?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) explains that poorly maintained heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as high humidity, can contribute to poor indoor air quality. When an HVAC system isn’t properly maintained–and especially when humidity levels get too high–bacteria and viruses can flourish. Here are some tips for improving the quality of air inside your home:

• Get your ducts cleaned. If you have ducts within your home or business, remember that air blows through those ducts in order to be distributed through vents in individual rooms. This means any dust, bacteria, viruses, allergens, or other particles can be carried into a room along with the hot/cool air. Getting your ducts cleaned on a regular basis can help to control for this and reduce the risk of airborne illnesses and respiratory complications, including asthma and allergies. 
• Change your HVAC filters regularly. HVAC filters are designed to capture small particulates, but if the filters get dirty and aren’t replaced, they don’t work nearly as efficiently as they would otherwise. You should replace your filters per the manufacturer’s recommendation, which may be anywhere from 30-90 days depending on the quality of the filter and whether or not pets live in the home (in which case, you should change the filter more frequently).
• Perform regular HVAC maintenance and repairs. When was the last time you had an expert look at your HVAC system to check for standing water, leaks, effectiveness, damage, etc.? Doing so on a regular basis not only will help to improve your air quality by ensuring that everything is in tip-top shape, but it can also extend the life of your system, saving you money and stress in the long-run.

In addition to the above, you may want to consider investing in a home or business air cleaning system, as well as a humidifier. Talk to our team to learn more.

Call Van Drunen Heating & Air Conditioning Today

To learn more about Van Drunen Heating & Air Conditioning and the HVAC services we perform, as well as steps that you can take to reduce the risk of airborne illnesses and to keep your family and employees safe, call us today. We can schedule an appointment for HVAC maintenance, repairs, or new installation at a time that works for you.