How To Reduce Home Dust With Your HVAC System
It’s a wonderful feeling to open the windows and let in the fresh air once the weather starts getting warmer. However, along with fresh air comes dirt and allergens that settle as a layer of dust on your surfaces.
Don’t let dust ruin your spring with constant sneezing and cleaning. With a few easy-to-follow tips, you can use your HVAC system to help you keep dust levels manageable.
Where Does Dust Come From and What is it Made Of?
Dust is made up of various particles: dead skin cells, pollen, pet dander, insect remnants, and dirt collect over time making your home appear dirty, and even causing respiratory problems or worsening allergy symptoms.
To prevent dust from accumulating, it’s important to take preventive measures. Besides spending every day cleaning up any accumulating dust, you can use your HVAC system to clean your air.
Replace Your Air Filters
An inexpensive and easy way to keep dust from accumulating in your home is to clean or replace your air filter. If your air filter is clogged or dirty, it doesn’t capture as much dust and can leave your air feeling and smelling less than fresh.
Your air filter should be changed every 1-2 months, depending on use. If you’ve got pets or keep your windows open frequently, it’s best to err on the side of caution and change it more frequently.
Not sure if you should upgrade your filter? There are various options of air filters available on the market, including those with a MERV rating that can trap even the smallest particles. A MERV rating below 4 may not capture all dust particles, while a rating above 13 can be too energy-consuming for regular household use. If you’re unsure what type of air filter to install in your home, ask your technician during your routine HVAC service.
While air filters do a great job of keeping your home’s air clean, it’s not the sole solution to removing dust. Your air filter won’t pick up dust that’s already settled on your furniture or other surfaces–only the dust particles in the air.
Which brings us to our next tip:
Use the HVAC Fan While Cleaning
It might sound counterintuitive, but do your best to stir up some dust while you’re cleaning. As you dust, polish, and sweep, turning on your HVAC fan. Any dust you miss while cleaning will find its way back into the air and then into your air filter.
Keep Air Vents Clean
Dust tends to gather on air vent registers, whether it settling from the air or coming from the ducts.
Keeping your air vents clean is a simple fix: wipe down your air vents once per week with a rag or duster to prevent the dust from building up and recirculating into your home.
Upgrade to an Electric Air Cleaner
An electric air cleaner works by trapping microscopic particles–mold, bacteria, viruses–along with dust to ensure the air in your home is as clean as possible. These devices are installed directly in your HVAC system and are exceptionally helpful for those with allergies, compromised immune systems, or respiratory issues like asthma or COPD.
Maintain Your HVAC System with Regular Inspections and Tune-Ups!
Your HVAC system does more than just heat and cool your home. By using your HVAC system to its full potential, you can keep your home’s air clean and reduce the amount of time you spend dusting and cleaning–and increase the amount of time you have your windows open!
A regular HVAC inspection can ensure that all of the components of your system are working properly, as well as identify any problems early. If you want to improve the air quality in your home, call and schedule an appointment with the Service Champions team today.