Improving the Air Quality in Your Home

There are many factors that can impact the quality of air in your home, from mold spores to dust and airborne contaminants. While you may not be able to see what you are breathing in, it can become apparent when you or family members begin to have health issues. Protecting the air you breathe in your home is a vital part of wellness, helping improve your family’s health. Maintaining your HVAC system can help improve your air quality and ensure you have clean air for your family to breathe.

Removing Contaminants from the Air

The air in your home is circulated through your HVAC system, making it the easiest place to filter out contaminants. All HVAC systems have filters that remove some particles from the air, but the level of purification depends on the filter you use and how often it is changed. To improve this process, choose a filter with a high minimum efficiency reporting value or MERV, which will filter out smaller particles. For homes with members with extreme sensitivities, auto immune deficiencies or allergies, a HEPA filter may be best for cleaning the air.

Check Humidity Levels

Another aspect of air quality is maintaining 40-60% humidity in your home. Too much humidity can lead to mold problems, and too little can cause respiratory irritation. Have your humidity levels tested by your local HVAC service company – adding a humidifier or dehumidifier may be needed to maintain the right level of moisture in the air.

You can improve your air quality by keeping up on filter changes in your HVAC system – many filters should be changed every month. Also, have annual HVAC service and inspections performed to ensure your system is working correctly and your duct work is kept clean and free from contaminants.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
1925 Lena Carter Road
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 475-9528

Signs that You May Need a Dehumidifier in Your Home

Humidity can be an issue, especially in certain regions of the country. The southeast is particularly prone to high humidity, which can affect the comfort and air quality in your home. Humid air is not just uncomfortable, it can cause damage to wood and other materials in your home. Mold can lead to expensive repairs and put your family’s health at risk. Here are a few signs that you may need to lower the humidity in your home with a dehumidifier.

  • Musty smell. The distinct musty smell of mildew is a sign you may have too much humidity in your home. This means there is mold in your home, whether it is hiding in cardboard boxes in the garage or growing in the corners of your bathroom.
  • Condensation on windows. If you notice constant condensation on windows or glass doors in your home, too much humidity may be a problem. This water condensation can ruin the trim and molding around doors and windows; it can also lead to dangerous black mold that can release harmful spores into the air.
  • Mold growth on walls, doors and ceiling is a bad sign. This means the air is humid enough to allow mold to grow on an open surface. Cleaning the mold off the surface is only a temporary fix – you need to control the moisture levels in your home.

If you have any of these signs of humidity or the humidity level in your home is constantly spiking above 50-60%, you should consider adding a whole home dehumidifier to your HVAC system. This can improve your air quality, protecting your home and family.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
3870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 340-129
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 475-9555

Is Summer Humidity Getting You Hot Under The Collar?

It’s not just the summer heat that can make some days unbearable. Even with an excellent air conditioner in your home, you can still feel too warm when the humidity is high. In addition to detracting from your comfort, there are many other good reasons to control the humidity in your home. Humid conditions can lead to mold, insect problems and even moisture damage in your home. 

Controlling Humidity In Your Home

If you notice that you are still hot, sweaty and sticky even when the temperature is cool in your home, you may have a humidity problem. Other signs may be a musty smell, condensation on windows and even warping of walls or floorboards. Humidity in homes should be ideally about 45%, ranging between 30-50%. If you levels are higher than 50%, it is time to get a whole house dehumidifier

There are two primary options when it comes to adding a whole house dehumidifier to your home. You can either opt for a dehumidifier which works with your air conditioning unit, or you can have a separate system just for humidity. These systems are quiet and work efficiently, with sensors to keep your entire home at a comfortable and safe humidity level all year round. Most units are easy to maintain, only needing a filter change once a year to keep your air clean and at the right moisture level. 

If you are ready to experience the difference a whole house dehumidifier can make, call your local HVAC professional to discuss installing a new unit in your home. You will be surprised at the level of comfort it can provide while keeping excess moisture from damaging your home.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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