Indoor Air Quality Issues in the Fall – How to Protect Against Them

Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning

Gaithersburg HVAC Contractors

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Fall is a beautiful time of year, with the leaves changing color and the air becoming crisp. As the weather cools down, you may be tempted to close up the windows and crank up the heat. But did you know that this can cause indoor air quality issues? In the fall, there are a few things to be aware of when it comes to maintaining good air quality in your home or office.

Through late November, ragweed is still prevalent in Maryland. Rotting leaves cause mold growth by releasing spores into the air. Inside our homes we have to contend with pet dander, dust mites, and even cockroaches. . All of these can cause sniffling, sneezing, and itchiness, as well as fatigue and headaches. The good news is, the HVAC technicians at Presidential Heating and Air in Gaithersburg, MD, are sharing some tips on what you can do to improve your indoor air quality and make your indoor space a more healthy this season.

Get an HVAC Tune-up

Before you turn on your furnace for the first time in months, it’s a good idea to have an HVAC contractor give it a tune-up. They will inspect and clean the furnace to ensure everything is in good working order. They will propose replacing worn-down components to prevent failure in the future.. This will help your furnace run more efficiently.

Change Your Furnace Filter

Depending on the type of filter you have, you should be changing them every month, a few months, semi-annually, or annually. In the fall when pollen levels are high, it is particularly important to make sure your filters a clean. Furnace filters help to trap airborne particles, especially pollen, dust, and pet dander before they have a chance to circulate. The simple act of changing your air filter can help to create a healthier indoor environment.

Purify Your Air

You may also want to consider investing in an air purifier. A whole-house (or office) air purifier traps pollutants like dust, pollen, and smoke particles. This not only cleans the air you breathe, but it also helps to reduce allergies and respiratory problems. Additionally, air purifiers can reduce odors and freshen the air in your dwelling. Ask your Gaithersburg HVAC technician about the iWave-R air purification system. It helps to improve air quality by creating negative ions that bind with positively charged particles such as pollen, dust, and other pollutants as well as viruses including COVID.

Open the Windows

During the summer months, homes can get stuffy and smelly, due to the heat and humidity. So, letting some fresh air into your house in the fall can help to clear out any musty odors that might have developed over the summer. Just be sure your filters are clean as that ragweed and mold spores will enter through the windows and doors but can be trapped in the filters as long as the fall is running to push them through your HVAC system.

Vacuum Regularly

If you have opened up your windows, you will want to improve the air quality by vacuuming and dusting on a regular basis. This will help to remove the dust and pollen that have settled on your surfaces and floors. You can also keep your space well-ventilated by using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms.

As the weather gets colder and we start spending more time indoors, it’s important to make sure that the air we’re breathing is clean and healthy. Following these helpful tips will improve your indoor air quality this fall – scheduling an HVAC service, cleaning, or replacing your air filter, speaking with your HVAC technician about air purification (ask about iWave-R), letting some fresh air in during the day to prevent stagnant air from building up, and keeping allergens at bay by vacuuming regularly.

By following these simple tips, you can breathe easy this fall knowing that your indoor air quality is at its best. For more information, please contact Presidential Heating & Air. We serve the  to make sure everything is running smoothly.