Three Ways to Improve Air Quality

The leaves are changing colors and your mind is getting in gear to perform some pre-winter inspections. You know that a fall furnace tune up will help lower fuel costs, thereby resulting in energy savings. Higher energy prices cause everyone to think of ways to lower energy consumption, but not much thought is given to air quality. There are four things that you can do during your pre-winter inspection that will improve air quality and give you energy savings.

Check your ventilation system.

Your ventilation system is just one component of your HVAC system, but it is an important one. It is the system that carries the air from the blower in your furnace or boiler throughout your home. You should check to make sure that your ductwork is cleaned and in proper condition. Regular inspection of the ventilation system will reveal any cracks, rust spots, or leaks in the seams. Ductwork cleaning will ensure that the air has free passage through your home. If you find any cracks, holes, or leaks in the seams, you can seal those up with a special metal-backed tape or aerosol sealant. Rust spots and holes need to be repaired. Rust spots could mean that your humidifier is producing too much moisture or you may have a leak that should be addressed as soon as possible. Rust that dries up and flakes up could be blown out into your home with the air and cause health problems. 

Check your humidifier.

If you find the appearance of rust spots in your ductwork, this could possibly indicate that you have too much moisture in your home. This could mean that you have a problem with your humidifier. If your humidifier is working properly, your home will have the proper amount of moisture in the air. You should perform an inspection to make sure that the filters are clean. If you have too much moisture in your home, there is the potential for mold and mildew to grow. This can lead to fungal infections, respiratory infections, and it can cause the wood in your home to swell and buckle. If you have little moisture, your skin and mucus membranes will feel dry and cause irritations. It could also cause problems for people with respiratory problems such as asthma and emphysema. Dry air can also cause dryness and cracking in the wood in your home.

Carbon monoxide leak detection and radon mitigation is important

It is very important that you have a carbon monoxide leak detection system in place. Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless, and colorless gas. You can find carbon monoxide detectors in home improvement stores and some smoke detectors also can detect carbon monoxide. You should also have your home checked for radon. Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally and it can seep into your home up from the ground through the cracks in the foundation. Radon can also enter your home through well water, so the well should also be inspected. If you detect a high level of radon, you should have a professional perform radon mitigation to remove the dangerous gas and keep more from seeping inside your home.