Indoor air quality is a big issue here in the Grand Junction, CO area. However, there’s plenty of confusion among homeowners as to the best way to safeguard a home’s air quality. Some believe that regular duct cleanings are all that’s necessary to keep the air in their homes clean, healthy, and fresh. Others insist that nothing short of installing an air purifier will suffice. Here’s everything you need to know about duct cleaning and air purifiers and how to choose the right indoor air quality solution for your home.
How Duct Cleaning Safeguards Air Quality
In homes with central forced-air HVAC systems, indoor air quality is inextricably linked to their performance. That’s because all of the air inside the home passes through the system via its ductwork. As anyone with a forced-air central HVAC system can tell you, those ducts get dusty and dirty relatively quickly. That’s why central HVAC systems have built-in air filters. It’s their job to trap the dust and dirt passing through the system so it doesn’t get distributed throughout the home as the HVAC runs.
The trouble is that the average HVAC air filter only traps a tiny percentage of the harmful substances in a home’s air. That means all of that dust and dirt building up in the ductwork will eventually end up back in the air and will harm the air quality. That’s where regular duct cleaning comes in. By removing the dust and dirt buildup in a home’s ducts, you improve the home’s air quality by preventing those things from circulating in the home’s air. In general, it’s a good idea to have a duct cleaning performed every three to five years, depending on the condition of your home’s ducts.
For homes with occupants that suffer from allergies or breathing problems related to air quality, it may also be a good idea to upgrade your HVAC’s air filter. There are air filters available that can trap a higher percentage of airborne contaminants than a standard HVAC filter. The tradeoff is that they may slightly impede airflow through your HVAC, which harms its efficiency. However, that’s a small price to pay to meaningfully improve your home’s air quality.
It’s worth noting, though, that you should never upgrade your HVAC filter without consulting an HVAC expert first. Depending on the filter, it may be necessary to increase your system’s fan speed to accommodate it. That’s not a job you can do yourself, nor should you try.
When an Air Purifier Becomes Necessary
In the majority of homes, regular duct cleaning and an upgraded HVAC air filter should keep the indoor air quality at an acceptable level. That assumes, however, that there’s nothing in your home actively harming its air quality. If someone in your home smokes, for example, or if you have multiple pets, an upgraded HVAC filter might not be enough.
The reason for this is simple. Although you can purchase air filters for your HVAC system that capture the vast majority of harmful airborne particles, that’s not always a viable solution. The average residential HVAC system can’t cope with ultra-high-end filters. So, by adding one, all you’ll end up doing is increasing your home’s energy bills, creating unnecessary wear and tear on your HVAC, and harming your home’s comfort.
If keeping your ducts clean and if a reasonable upgrade to your HVAC filter isn’t enough to improve your home’s air quality, you may need to consider installing an air purifier. It’s a good idea to have an air quality test performed in your home to identify the specific pollutants you’re dealing with. That will tell you exactly what kind of air purifier you’d need to solve your home’s specific air quality issue.
Contact the HVAC Experts
Now you know how regular duct cleaning and air purifiers fit into your home’s larger air quality picture. Therefore, if your home has an air quality issue, your first step should be to get your HVAC ducts cleaned and to upgrade your HVAC’s air filter. It’s not a good idea to immediately skip ahead to installing an air purifier since it could be overkill, depending on what air quality problems your home has. The good news is that Home Comfort Services can help. We offer complete HVAC services including installation, maintenance, and repair, as well as duct cleaning services. We can help you improve your home’s air quality and advise you about what additional steps you should take. Plus, we offer comprehensive plumbing services if your home should require them. As a locally owned and operated business with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, we’d be thrilled to add you to our long list of satisfied customers.
For duct cleaning, HVAC services, and more in Grand Junction, contact Home Comfort Services today!
