Springtime in Utah brings blooming flowers, warmer temperatures, and unfortunately, a surge in allergens that can make life miserable for allergy sufferers. From pollen and dust to mold spores, the outdoor air is filled with particles that can easily find their way indoors, impacting your health and comfort.
While you can’t control the air quality outside, you can create a safe haven within your home. By taking proactive steps to improve indoor air quality, you not only protect your respiratory health but also enhance overall well-being!
Safeguarding Your Indoor Air Quality
Keeping your indoor air quality is, fortunately, quite a simple task that doesn’t take much of your time. You can achieve this by doing the following.
Cleaning or Replacing Your Air Filters
Your HVAC system’s air filters are your first line of defense against indoor pollutants. They trap and hold almost every particle present in your air. In a place like Utah, air filters tend to get dirty quickly because of high levels of air pollutants. Thus, the frequency of changing or replacing them should also be higher. While professional heating and AC maintenance are also crucial, filter changes are among the most important maintenance tasks you can do yourself.
When you let your system run on dirty filters, the very filters meant to protect you will become a source of indoor pollution. When the fans try harder to pull air through them for conditioning, some contaminants can dislodge and circulate back into your living spaces.
When changing your air filters, be sure to consult your HVAC system’s manual to determine the exact size and type required. If your system allows, consider pleated filters with a MERV rating between 11 and 13. MERV 13 is the highest recommended rating for most residential systems, balancing efficiency and airflow. Using a higher MERV rating may restrict airflow and reduce system efficiency.
Getting the right size is critical to ensure a snug fit in the filter slot. An improperly sized air filter will let allergens and other pollutants bypass around the sides, essentially making it ineffective.
To change the air filters, turn the HVAC system off, locate and open the filter cabinet, remove the old one, and place it in a tightly sealed plastic bag to prevent dust or debris from spreading. Ensure you have your gloves on during this process.
Next, check the filter slot for accumulated dust and clean it if necessary. Install your clean filter carefully, following the orientation indicated by the arrows on the filter frame. Finally, close the filter cabinet, vents, or, for ductless systems, the air handler unit and turn the HVAC system back on.
If you have reusable filters, vacuum and wash them and let them air dry before inserting them back in their slots. When washing, consider using a mixture of equal parts hot water and distilled white vinegar. Vinegar has natural antimicrobial properties and can help break down grime and residue. Allow the filter to soak in the mixture for an hour or two, and then rinse with clean water.
Invest in a Whole-Home Air Purifier
For comprehensive indoor air quality improvement, consider investing in a whole-home air purifier. Unlike portable units that clean the air in a single room, a whole-home system integrates directly into your HVAC system, purifying the air throughout your entire living space.
These systems are more effective at trapping allergens like dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and even bacteria and viruses. For optimal indoor air quality, look for a whole-home air purifier that includes both HEPA and activated carbon filters. HEPA filters capture 99.97% of airborne particles, while activated carbon filters neutralize gases and odors, such as VOCs and pet smells.
Modern whole-home air purifiers can monitor air quality in real-time and automatically adjust filtration levels to maintain optimal conditions. Because they are integrated into your HVAC system, they continuously clean the air whenever your heating or cooling system is running.
Before choosing a whole-home air purifier, consult with a qualified HVAC technician to ensure compatibility with your existing system. They can recommend the best model based on your home’s size, air quality needs, and HVAC specifications. Unlike portable units, these systems do not require room-by-room calculations, as they purify the entire home’s air supply through the central HVAC system.
Contact Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing for More Information
If you live in American Fork and surrounding areas, contact us today to help improve your indoor air quality. We are a trusted and dependable company that has faithfully served homeowners in Utah since 1910. We’ll test your air, assess your home, and provide tailored solutions to ensure a healthier indoor environment.
Call Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing today for indoor air quality solutions in American Fork, UT.
