As one of the hottest cities in the U.S., Yuma is hard to imagine without air conditioning. When July days reach 107 degrees, the A/C makes life bearable for most of us. That’s why it’s important to properly maintain your HVAC system, so that you don’t experience breakdowns during the heat of summer when you need it most.
But did you know your HVAC system does much more than just keep you cool or warm? In fact, a properly maintained HVAC system can be one of your best means of improving indoor air quality.
How the HVAC Boosts Air Quality
Your HVAC system has an air filter that should be changed regularly for the best performance of your equipment. The filter is there mainly to keep dust particles out of the system. But when you install a good quality, pleated air filter, you’re not only protecting the HVAC system, but also improving the air quality. The denser material of the good quality air filter helps catch smaller particles that a cheap filter misses. These particles can consist of pollen, pet dander, insect parts, dust and other substances that are known to aggravate allergies and cause other respiratory problems.
Although air filter manufacturers have their own rating systems for their filters, the standard one is established by the U.S. government, and recommends a filter rated 8 to 12 on the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) scale. Any higher than that, including a so-called HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate air filter, and airflow will slow down.
Humidity
Another important way the HVAC system improves your IAQ is by controlling humidity. While not usually a problem in Yuma, homes can become too humid when there are roof or plumbing leaks.
During the cooling process, moist air from the home is drawn over the A/C evaporator coils, where moisture condenses and is drained away through the condensate drain. This helps lower the home’s humidity so that your home is less likely to develop mold and mildew.
For more on improving indoor air quality, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company of Yuma.
