It’s that time of year again. The leaves are starting to change, and the air is getting a little bit crisper. Most people do not realize that the air quality inside a house can suffer during the fall. There are some things you can monitor to try to keep your air quality at a decent level. Here are some common autumn air quality issues and how you can fix them.
Elevated Humidity
People generally equate high humidity to hot summers. While this is true, humidity can also be an issue in the fall. Even with the cool air, humidity can rise up to 100 percent on some days. While you may not mind humid days, the fact is that it can come with problems. Humidity can attract mold and cause respiratory problems for those who are susceptible. There are some things you can do to prevent these issues, however. For one, try drying your clothes outside if you can. That way the moisture can be released into the air. If you take a shower or cook a meal, turn on the exhaust fans to clear out some of the steam. A whole-home dehumidifier will also help remove humidity from the air without taxing your HVAC system.
Contaminants in the Air
Your heating and air conditioning system is a built-in weapon against humidity. It circulates air throughout the home so that it does not stay stagnant. Your system uses filters to keep dust and contaminants from spreading around the home. The best thing you can do is to purchase the best filter possible to trap all of those particles. If those particles get through, then it could pose a risk for those who have allergies. In fact, being exposed to too much dirty air can cause asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Pleated filters are generally considered to be the best option since they are the best at capturing contaminants. Make sure that you change out your filters at least as often as the manufacturer recommends, if not sooner. A good guideline is 2 to 3 months, but you could do it more often if you have pets in the home.
If the air filter is not doing a complete job of removing the contaminants from the air in your home, then you can also purchase a whole-home air purifier. It works with the HVAC system, and does a great job of cleaning out the air. Not only that, but having an air purifier attached to your HVAC system will allow it to last longer since it will not be as affected by mold and other unsanitary materials.
Unstable Temperatures
The weather in the fall can be frustrating in that it seems to change from hour to hour. The morning might be very cold, but by the afternoon it is bright and sunny. Plus, it rains on a regular basis. If you have a manual thermostat, then you will probably have a hard time switching back and forth between heating and cooling, and your HVAC system can get overworked. Try installing a smart thermostat to help you better regulate the temperature in your home so that you are keeping the temperature constant and not stressing your system.
Lack of Air Circulation
If your home has poor air circulation, then parts of your home will not be getting fresh air. This means that you may have bad air quality on certain floors or in certain rooms. You can talk to your HVAC technician about finding a way to improve the air circulation so that it is more equitably circulated.
The temperature drops and the air is crisp, but you still need to think about air quality in the Autumn.