Indoor Air Quality Tips for Louisville Homes: How to Breathe Easier This Fall
In the spring and summer, indoor air quality is easy to ignore. We spend more time outdoors or with the windows open, breathing in fresh air. As the temperatures drop, however, we move indoors, and we spend more time with the windows closed. We might start to realize we aren’t breathing quite as easily as we’re used to.
Dust, pet dander, and other particulates that remain in the air are common irritants for allergies and asthma, making it more uncomfortable to be indoors. With simple and regular maintenance, however, these irritants can be eliminated, your home comfort improved, and your breathing made easier. DFH Company has the fall HVAC tips Louisville homeowners need.
Common Fall Air Quality Challenges
Indoor air quality for Louisville residents becomes increasingly noticeable as temperatures dip.
Furnaces consistently pull in air from outdoors that is cold and dry. This affects the humidity of your home, making it drier. This dry air can result in dry skin, congestion, and irritation in your throat and sinuses.
During the summer, while temperatures are high, your furnace goes unused. You may not realize that over those warm months, dust can build up on the filter. When the furnace kicks back on, that dust buildup worsens the airflow and efficiency of your unit. Additionally, it can irritate your throat and lungs.
Along with plain old dust, allergens like pet dander and pollen can become trapped in your filter. This worsens symptoms for allergy sufferers. Replacing your furnace’s filter regularly, especially as seasons shift, prevents these irritating particles from being re-released into your home.
HVAC Tips for Cleaner Air
Louisville’s four-season climate keeps your HVAC system on its toes. Fall is the perfect time to give your furnace some TLC to keep it running smoothly.
Simple but routine HVAC maintenance, such as changing the furnace filters, goes a long way in keeping your furnace performing well, keeping you comfortable, and preventing larger problems from developing.
Your fall furnace maintenance should also include checking for and sealing any leaks in your ductwork. Leaks have the double disadvantage of allowing allergens into your system while also allowing warm air to escape. Both your comfort and your HVAC system’s efficiency will suffer. A professional can thoroughly inspect your system and seal any cracks.
For complete peace of mind, consider scheduling seasonal preventative maintenance. Hiring HVAC professionals, such as DFH Company, is the best way to keep your HVAC system running as efficiently as possible for as long as possible. Professional HVAC technicians catch issues while they’re still minor, preventing breakdowns and improving your indoor air quality.
Benefits of Adding Humidifiers & Air Cleaners
Two of the most common detractors to indoor air quality in the fall are dryness and allergens. If you continue to experience these issues even after changing your furnace filter, investing in a high-quality humidifier or air cleaner can resolve the problem.
To address persistent dry air problems, consider whole-home humidifiers. Louisville temperatures are dropping, and unlike our humid summers, the colder weather means drier air. Unlike small, portable humidifiers, whole-home humidifiers are integrated directly with your HVAC system to maintain a comfortable humidity in every room. These systems are also more energy efficient and lower-maintenance than single-room units.
For many of us in Louisville, air cleaners are the seasonal allergies solution we’ve been looking for. These systems filter irritating allergens out of your home. Whole-house air cleaner systems are integrated with your HVAC system to keep your whole family breathing more easily in every room, regardless of the season.
Smart Thermostats for Air Quality
An effective way to keep your home comfortable and your energy bill low is by installing a smart thermostat. Many smart thermostats allow you to not only program a heating and cooling schedule, but also monitor humidity and air quality as well.
Smart thermostats give you complete control of your home’s air conditions. You can adjust both temperature and humidity in real time, even remotely, to keep everyone in your home comfortable. Or set it and forget it by scheduling your routines to prioritize cost savings while the family is out and comfort when you return home.
Advanced smart thermostats monitor your HVAC system’s performance and can alert your HVAC specialist if any issues arise. This system catches small issues before they develop into larger problems, ensuring you sleep more easily as well as breathe more easily.
DFH Product Solutions
DFH installs a diverse range of energy-efficient HVAC products to ensure your home’s comfort and air quality. Since 1935, we’ve been installing quality heating and cooling systems in Louisville, personally recommended to fit both home and budget needs.
Comfort includes more than just temperature, which is why we also install the industry-leading air cleaners and humidifiers Louisville homeowners need. As a certified Trane Comfort Specialist dealer, DFC Company uses high-quality products that we can stand behind to keep your home healthy and comfortable through the fall, winter, spring, and summer.
The first step toward improved indoor air quality is reaching out. We’re more than happy to answer all of your questions to make sure your HVAC system meets your family’s needs. Give us a call or fill out our online form to speak directly with an expert.
When to Call a Professional
If you’re continuously experiencing symptoms of poor air quality–congestion, irritation, or even excessive dust–DIY fixes probably aren’t cutting it. You should be comfortable in your home, and DFH Company is committed to making that happen.
As a family-owned business, DFH Company is here to serve your family. We continuously meet the highest performance standards in the industry and strive to marry high performance with cost savings. We’re proud to have been the trusted HVAC professionals in Louisville for over 85 years.
Dry air, dust, and allergens aren’t irritants you have to put up with. If you’re noticing air quality issues this fall, it’s time to tackle them. DIY maintenance goes a long way toward improving your HVAC system’s efficiency as well as your air quality. For larger issues, DFH Company is here to help.
Ready to improve your home’s air quality this fall? Contact DFH Company today to schedule service or request a free estimate.