1. Change your furnace or air handler air filter every one to three months.
Your furnace or air handler should always operate with a clean air filter. Follow your furnace or air handler manufacturer’s recommendations for changing the filter. Take note of the filter’s condition when you change it. This will help you determine how frequently you should change the filter. You may need to change it more frequently, based on your home’s conditions.
Avoid the cheap filters if anyone in your home suffers from allergies. Many of us use the RepairClinic-exclusive Allergen Shield Plus air filter, which traps more impurities than standard paper filters.
Learn more about Allergen Shield Plus filter
Dirty air filters also cause all sorts of problems for the furnace – from increased energy usage to premature wear of key components.
2. Maintain proper humidity levels.
Using a humidifier in the winter months and a dehumidifier in the summer months will have an important role in keeping the moisture levels where they need to be in your home. High humidity levels foster the perfect conditions for mold growth so humidity regulation is critical to air quality. A hygrometer makes it easy to monitor humidity levels so you can make adjustments as needed.
3. Clean floors frequently.
Much of the dust and dirt at home is delivered by foot and quickly enters the air you breathe.
- Keep mats at every entrance to limit the spread of dust and dirt.
- Run a vacuum cleaner on rugs and carpets a few times per week, or more frequently if you have shedding pets or live in a dusty region. Look for vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters to remove more dust and dirt than standard filters.
- Sweep hard floors a few times weekly and mop at least once weekly.
Robotic vacuum cleaners are a wise option for routine floor cleaning between regular cleanings with a canister or upright vacuum cleaner. Robotic vacuum cleaners can be programmed to run daily throughout homes and make it easier to clean hard-to-reach locations. They work well on hard surfaces and standard rugs and carpeting. Have thick and/or shaggy carpeting? Unfortunately, robovacs can’t take on such terrain.
Related information
Furnace Maintenance Tips
Furnace Repair Help
Of course, no air quality-tips post would be complete without these additional safety warnings:
- Keep at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home. If your model is battery powered, be sure to change the batteries when you change the batteries in your smoke detectors.
- Pay attention to changes in the performance of your furnace or air handler. Noise changes and other issues can indicate larger, looming trouble. Troubleshoot and repair as needed to avoid more expensive repairs later.
What else would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments below.