As if the high temperatures weren’t enough to deal with from June through October, summer IAQ (indoor air quality) falls as the heat continues. Having to keep the doors and windows tightly closed doesn’t help the IAQ over the summer any better, either.
What Happens to IAQ
Unless you use some kind of mechanical fresh air ventilation on a regular basis, the following happens to your IAQ when you shut your home up tightly to keep cooling bills low:
- Odors concentrate.
- Dust mites and dust mite waste builds.
- Mold grows and spores in the air increase.
- Human and pet dander collect.
- Bacteria grow faster.
- Insects proliferate, leaving waste behind.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) increase.
Fortunately, it’s not hard to deal with any of these pollutants through ventilation, filtration, avoidance and cleaning.
Ventilation
Using kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans will lower the humidity, which deters the growth of dust mites, mold spores and bacteria. You can also install an energy recovery ventilator (ERV), the most energy efficient way to provide fresh air year-round. An ERV pulls out as much stale air as it pulls in and it stores the energy in the outgoing air and puts it into the incoming air.
Filtration
Be sure to check the air filter for the A/C monthly during the summer. You may want to use a higher quality filter to trap more particles like dander, dust mite waste, mold spores and pollen. You can also use portable air filters or install a whole-house system to improve winter and summer IAQ.
Avoidance
Use natural cleaners like vinegar, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in the summer, and put off home remodeling projects until you can open the windows.
Cleaning
Insects are attracted to your home because it supplies food, water, shelter and cooler temperatures. After sealing gaps in the exterior, keep the kitchen clean and the bathroom dry.
Summer IAQ suffers in the Yuma area. If you’d like more information about using your A/C and ventilation system to improve it, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We provide HVAC services for Yuma-area homeowners.
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 other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.
