Summer in the Metro East means warmer temperatures, higher humidity, and plenty of time spent indoors enjoying the air conditioning. It can also bring indoor air quality concerns, including dust, pollen, excess humidity, and other airborne particles.
Your HVAC system plays an important role in circulating air throughout your home, but improving indoor air quality involves more than simply turning on the AC.
From changing your filter to controlling humidity, here are several ways to help improve the air inside your home this summer.
Your HVAC filter is one of the first lines of defense against dust and other particles circulating through your heating and cooling system.
As the filter becomes dirty, it can restrict airflow and make it more difficult for your HVAC equipment to operate properly.
How frequently you need to replace the filter depends on several factors, including:
Check the filter regularly during the summer when your air conditioner is operating frequently. Replace it when needed rather than relying entirely on a fixed schedule.
Dust, pet hair, pollen, and other particles can settle throughout your home and eventually become airborne again as people and pets move around.
Regular household cleaning can help reduce this accumulation.
Pay particular attention to:
Using a vacuum equipped with appropriate filtration can also help capture particles rather than simply moving dust around the room.
Opening your windows can bring fresh outdoor air into the house when conditions are appropriate, but it isn’t always the best choice during summer.
On days with high outdoor humidity, poor outdoor air quality, or high pollen levels, opening windows may introduce additional moisture or particles into the home.
Instead of treating natural ventilation as an automatic solution, consider outdoor conditions first.
If your home frequently feels stuffy even with the windows closed and HVAC equipment operating, it may be worth discussing ventilation and other indoor air quality solutions with an HVAC professional.
Humidity has a major influence on how comfortable your home feels during a Metro East summer.
When indoor humidity is too high, the house can feel warmer and more uncomfortable even when the thermostat is set to a reasonable temperature. Persistent excess moisture can also contribute to condensation and other moisture-related problems.
Your air conditioner helps remove moisture as it cools the home, but some homes may need additional humidity control.
Ehret offers whole-home indoor air quality solutions, including dehumidification options that can help manage excess moisture.
Your cooling system circulates air throughout your home all summer, making regular HVAC maintenance an important part of overall system performance.
Professional maintenance gives a technician an opportunity to inspect the equipment, check airflow, service important components, and identify problems that may be affecting comfort or performance.
With an Ehret FAN Club membership, your HVAC equipment is checked and maintained twice per year, helping prepare your cooling system for summer and heating equipment for winter.
A standard HVAC filter primarily helps protect the equipment and capture particles as air moves through the system. Homeowners who want additional filtration or air treatment may have other options.
Ehret offers indoor air quality products such as:
The appropriate solution depends on your HVAC system and what you’re trying to address.
Rather than automatically installing the highest-rated filter or adding equipment, have an HVAC professional determine which options are compatible with your existing system.
Sometimes the home itself gives you clues that air quality or humidity deserves attention.
You might notice:
These symptoms can have several possible causes, so identifying the underlying problem is important before deciding on a solution.
Improving indoor air quality isn’t about a single product or quick fix. Filtration, humidity, ventilation, HVAC maintenance, and the condition of your home can all play a role.
Ehret Inc. provides indoor air quality solutions for Belleville and Metro East homeowners, including air purifiers, air filtration systems, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. Our HVAC team can evaluate your existing system, discuss your concerns, and recommend options appropriate for your home.
Schedule an indoor air quality evaluation with Ehret Inc. or call (618) 233-1018 to learn more.
