February is National Care About Your Indoor Air Month, and it’s the perfect time to give your lungs a little TLC! We spend a significant amount of time indoors, especially during the colder months. The quality of the air at home is incredibly important to your overall health and comfort.
National Care About Your Indoor Air Month
No matter what type of heating and air system you have, from split systems to hybrid, duct-free, or packaged units, your indoor air quality (IAQ) matters. Having well-filtered air and balanced humidity can make a big difference in alleviating winter cold symptoms and reducing dry, cracked skin.
The good news is that you don’t need a complete overhaul to start improving your IAQ. Here are some simple, effective tips you can implement right away:
Keep Your HVAC Filters Clean
Your HVAC air filter is your system’s first line of defense against dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles. A clogged filter restricts airflow and forces your system to work harder, but more importantly, it can’t trap contaminants effectively.
What you can do: Replace or clean your old air filters regularly. Most experts recommend checking them monthly and replacing disposable filters every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of filter and your home environment (e.g., if you have pets, you’ll need to change them more often).
Maintain Balanced Humidity
Air that is too dry can irritate your sinuses, throat, and skin, while air that is too humid can encourage the growth of mold and mildew. The ideal indoor relative humidity level is typically around 40%.
What you can do: Install a whole home humidifier system to add moisture to dry winter air. Conversely, use a dehumidifier during warmer months to pull excess moisture out of the air.
Upgrade Your HVAC Filtration System
While standard air filters are good for catching larger particles, you may want a more robust solution for finer pollutants.
What you can do: A whole home air filtration system, such as a high-efficiency media filter or an electronic air cleaner, is installed directly into your HVAC ductwork and captures a higher percentage of microscopic particles, significantly improving the air circulating throughout your entire home.
Purify Your Home’s Air
Air purifiers can also help to improve indoor air quality and alleviate allergy symptoms, because they reduce the number of airborne allergens in your home by filtering out particles such as pollen, dust, and mold spores. Air purifiers are made with a variety of technologies, including HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, and UV-C light, to capture and neutralize allergens.
What you can do: Installing a whole house air treatment system, like the APCO-X, is our top recommendation for breathing easier. The APCO-X has a V-Twin element with over 65% more effective carbon surface area and a 3-Year UV-C lamp bulb, so you get significantly improved performance, functionality, and reliability. Plus, it’s the first air purification line to achieve UL environmental claim validation, meaning it emits zero ozone.
How Tuckers Can Help
You don’t have to tackle your indoor air quality alone. The Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing is here to help you breathe easier and keep your family healthy.
Our HVAC experts can provide personalized solutions based on your home’s unique IAQ needs, challenges, and budget. We offer a full range of IAQ solutions, including installation of whole-home air filtration systems, whole house humidifiers, and UV air purifiers. We can also inspect your existing system and provide professional maintenance, like HVAC filter changes and duct cleaning services. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!