Dust can seem like an inevitable part of life for many homeowners, especially for those of us in dry or desert areas like Yuma. It seems to simply appear out of nowhere and settle on every available surface, and then resists our efforts to wipe and sweep it up.
Unfortunately, for many people, dust is more than just an annoyance. For home occupants with allergies, dust 
mites, which are microscopic insects that feed on the particles of skin cells and fibers, can cause sneezing, congestion or even a severe allergic reaction. People suffering from asthma and other respiratory ailments are also in danger when there’s too much dust in the house. Though fighting dust may seem like a losing battle, there are a number of things you can do to get rid of dust and improve your indoor air quality.
Cleaning is an important step in combatting dust, but must be done a certain way. Sweeping, wiping with dry rags, and using feather dusters only disturbs dust and stirs it up, which can actually make allergy symptoms worse. Use a vacuum to clean up the dust, and be sure to empty the bag or compartment often. Try cleaning products that use an electrostatic charge to sweep and wipe surfaces, so you can be sure to trap the dust, rather than simply move it around.
Perhaps the most important step in eradicating dust is regularly maintaining your HVAC system. Have routine maintenance done yearly, and be sure to replace the system’s air filter at least every three months, but ideally once a month if anyone in your home suffers from allergies or you live in a particularly dusty area (not uncommon in Southwest Arizona).
If replacing your HVAC system’s filter doesn’t fix the problem, you may want to consider a whole-house air filtration system. Whole-house systems are the most effective and reliable method of removing dust, pollutants, bacteria and other particles from indoor air and improving your home’s overall air quality.
For more information on dealing with dust and improving indoor air quality, please contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Co. We have been serving the Yuma area for more than 60 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about preventing dust and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
