Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a huge HVAC factor for every northern Utah property to take seriously!
Air pollution is a huge issue here in northern Utah, and this impacts both outdoor and indoor air quality throughout our region. Inhaling pollutants and particulate matter can detrimentally impact your respiratory system, and can even lead to cold-like symptoms on a regular basis.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a crucial HVAC metric, particularly in susceptible areas like Salt Lake City. Below we’ll be detailing what you need to know about both outdoor and indoor air quality, as well as some helpful tips to improve your property’s IAQ!
Common Outdoor Air Pollutants
Because outdoor air is very fluid, it makes gases and chemicals easier to travel throughout our region from industrial zones. Ozone is one of the biggest outdoor air quality factors, and carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are other harmful gases that are byproducts of burning fossil fuels.
Countless cars, factories and other businesses throughout northern Utah run on natural fuels like gas, coal and oil. You may even be emitting gases into our local atmosphere when utilizing a natural gas heating system as well.
Particulate matter is another dangerous outdoor air pollutant, and this type of microscopic matter includes things like dust, pollen, sulfates, nitrates, ammonia, mold spores and soot.
Potential Indoor Air Pollutants
Both residential and commercial properties deal with pollutants like formaldehyde, lead and asbestos. These materials are often found within a property’s insulation or pipes. Radon is another harmful gas that often seeps its way into the basements and foundations of northern Utah properties.
Many homes in our area also struggle with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemical byproducts of using household cleaners, aerosols, candles, paint thinners, cosmetic products and much more. Cooking without proper ventilation can also create pollutant buildup, and it’s important to remember that your home’s indoor air quality can potentially be much more polluted than outdoor air.
Biological debris like particulate matter, carbon monoxide and pesticides can also become indoor airborne irritants.
Ways To Boost Your Property’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
One great benefit of modern homes is that they have many energy-efficiency features that help insulate air quality from outdoor pollutants. This type of efficiency also helps ensure HVAC functionality as well, but there are still many risks associated with poor IAQ.
Below are some tips to help you boost the IAQ at your home or business in northern Utah:
Switch To Better Air Filters
Your home’s HVAC filters are one of your first lines of defense against IAQ issues, so it’s often a good investment to upgrade your air filters when you’re currently using inexpensive fiberglass filters.
Pleated or blue fiberglass materials tend to last a lot longer, and they’re better at collecting dust, pollen and pet hair. HVAC filters also have minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) ratings, and you should choose filters that score at least in the 8-12 range for air quality.
Improving Your Household’s Daily Habits
Your household’s daily routine will have a direct impact on your property’s IAQ. This means that you should be limiting your overall usage of household cleaners and strong chemicals. You should also thoroughly ventilate when cleaning with any harsh substances.
If you have pets, you’ll need to vacuum frequently and replace your filters more consistently. Combing your pet on a routine basis can also limit the amount of fur that spreads throughout your home.
You also can’t forget about HVAC maintenance and taking proper care of your ductwork, because maintaining the functionality of these systems will go a very long way to boost your air quality!
Consider Ventilation Systems
Ventilation systems are meant to pull old air out of your property and replace it with fresh air, and these types of exhaust systems are also great for cooling down your property during summer.
Introducing new air into your home lowers the overall risk of pollutant accumulation, and ventilation systems also help homeowners monitor their indoor humidity levels and limit lingering odors.
Monitoring Air Quality Index
It’s often very tempting to open up your windows on warmer days, but it’s important to remember that this can be detrimental to your property’s IAQ when our region’s air quality index is poor.
This is why you should regularly check your local area’s air quality index before opening any windows at your property. Air quality index readings can be easily found on the most common weather apps, and these metrics can also give you a heads up during pollen season.
Schedule a Duct Cleaning Appointment
Dust, hair, soot and other types of IAQ debris slowly accumulate within every property’s ductwork over long periods of time. These types of contaminants can sometimes build up to the point in which they impact your HVAC system’s airflow, as well as your home’s overall cleanliness.
It’s generally recommended to schedule professional duct cleaning appointments at least every 3-5 years; however, it’s sometimes better to schedule your duct cleaning appointments more frequently in susceptible areas like northern Utah.
Our technicians will thoroughly examine and vacuum the inner workings of your ducts during these procedures, and we’ll also let you know when we detect any air leaks, fungal growth or pest problems that you should know about.
Air Purification Investments
By investing in a whole-house purification system, you can essentially guarantee year-round air quality control at your property. These devices are attachments that coincide with your existing HVAC system, and they’ll neutralize odors and eliminate all sorts of household allergens.
Some air purification systems can even handle VOCs, as well as various other gases like carbon monoxide. We’ll help you identify which type of air purification system is right for you and your property, and we specialize in providing high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filters for residential and commercial properties throughout our region!
Contact Beehive Heating & Air When You Need Help Improving Your Indoor Air Quality!
Beehive Heating & Air is an HVAC industry leader throughout Salt Lake City and the entire northern Utah region, and our renowned technicians have supported countless homes and businesses with indoor air quality improvements.
We understand just how important it is for property owners throughout our local area to take their IAQ seriously, and we’re here to help you understand your unique needs and implement long-term solutions.
Reach out to us online or call us at 801-849-3860 to speak with our experts today about your property’s indoor air quality!