August is National Wellness Month. As such, it’s a time to think about ways that we can all be more healthy and take better care of ourselves. The celebration encourages us to implement healthy habits, reduce our stress and not overlook necessary self-care. As you think about being more healthy this month, there’s no more basic place to start than the air that you breathe. Breathing clean and safe air is an essential part of staying healthy and active.
Given that many of us spend at least 12 hours a day breathing the air in our homes, it makes sense to think about your home’s air quality this August. To help you do so, today we’re going to talk about the importance of your HVAC system in maintaining your home’s air quality and some ways you can help to improve your home’s air quality.
The Significance of your HVAC System
We all know that our HVAC systems keep our homes comfortable throughout the year.
We fully appreciate the systems for that - after all, anyone that’s had their air conditioning go out on the hottest day of the year can appreciate how important this system is.
Yet, we often don’t think about how important the system is in ensuring that our air is safe to breathe. Your HVAC system is responsible for ensuring that your home’s air is safe and clean. It effectively removes pollutants, allergens and various contaminants from the air.
Indoor air quality has an impact on respiratory issues, allergies, and even our immune system. By keeping your indoor air quality high, your HVAC system has an important impact on your day to day life.
Improving Indoor Air Quality
You can help take the pressure off of your HVAC system and improve your indoor air quality by using quality air filters and ensuring that they’re consistently replaced.
There are a variety of types of air filters - including flat, fiberglass filters, pleated filters, and HEPA filters - that provide different advantages to your system. Even more important than the type of filter you use, is ensuring that your filters are timely replaced.
While the exact timing is dependent on the type of air filter you have, it’s a good idea to check your filter every month to make sure it’s clean. On average, filters should be changed at least every 90 days. However, during the summer it’s a good idea to change them at least once a month.
Plus, if you have pets or family members with allergies, it’s a good idea to always change your filters about every 45 days. Air filters are a simple but important way to improve your indoor air quality, so make sure that this is home maintenance that you keep up with.
Have you Prepared Your Home for Back to School?
In addition to being National Wellness Month, August is also the time that students prepare to go back to school.
Going back to school means that your kids are exposed to more germs and illnesses on a daily basis. This makes it a good time to think about your home’s air quality, as this can play a big part in keeping your family healthy.
In addition to making sure your air filters are clean, consider having your entire unit inspected and cleaned, including your ducts. Ensuring that all components of your HVAC system are clean and functioning properly will help to ensure the best indoor air quality possible. It’s one simple way to help your kids be a little healthier this school year.
It’s easy to underestimate the impact that your HVAC system has on your day-to-day routine, making it all the more important to ensure that it’s working properly and safely. If you have any concerns about your home’s air quality, call Easco Air Conditioning and Heating today at (936) 539-2653.
