Maintaining indoor air quality during the humid summer months is important to ensure your environment is comfortable and healthy. At Roland Black Heating & Cooling in Gastonia, NC, we understand the challenges that come with high humidity weather levels, which can make allergies more evident, boost mold growth, and create a wet, sickening feeling in your home. Here, we’ll share our indoor air quality solutions and tips for homeowners who want to combat hot, humid weather conditions and have clean, refreshing indoor air.
Monitor Indoor Humidity Levels
Monitoring indoor humidity levels can help you maintain a comfortable and healthy living environment, especially during the humid summer months. Excess humidity often leads to mildew and mold growth, allergens, bacteria, and dust mites. Those common problems aggravate respiratory conditions and trigger allergies. We recommend monitoring your indoor humidity levels with a hygrometer. Your hygrometer should report humidity levels between 30% and 50% to prevent these issues.
Use Dehumidifiers in Problem Areas
If your home frequently has more than 50% humidity, then we recommend a standalone dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers work by removing excess moisture from your indoor air and keeping all mold and mildew growth at bay. They also create a drier space that’s less hospitable to dust mites. You may need multiple dehumidifiers if you have a large home and the humidity is concentrated throughout.
You’ll need a dehumidifier the most in your basement and bathroom areas. Make sure that you choose a dehumidifier with the appropriate capacity for your room size so that you can efficiently remove moisture from the air. Regularly empty the water reservoir and clean the filter to keep your dehumidifier in tip-top shape.
Keep Windows and Doors Sealed With Strong Weatherstripping
Keeping windows and doors sealed with strong weatherstripping is important for maintaining indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Weatherstripping acts as a barrier, preventing moisture, pests, pollutants, and outdoor air from making its way indoors. It also effectively keeps your cooler, drier air indoors. You can protect your home with weatherstripping by first looking for areas where air escapes or enters.
Check your windows and doors for gaps and drafts. Next, choose high-quality weatherstripping materials such as silicone, rubber, and foam, which all offer durability and effective sealing. You can install weatherstripping along the edge of windows and doors to make sure that you have a tight fit. We also recommend checking for worn or damaged weatherstripping to maintain a tight seal. This can help with energy costs and also keep indoor humidity levels stable for a healthier home.
Invest in High-Quality HEPA Air Filters
Investing in high-quality HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) air filters is essential for improving indoor air quality, especially during humid summers. Opt for HEPA filters with a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating of 10 or higher to effectively capture microscopic particles, including dust, mold spores, and allergens. When selecting filters, consider compatibility with your existing HVAC system, the size of your home, and the MERV rating you might want. We also recommend that you replace your filters every 60 to 90 days. If you have allergies or someone else in your home suffers from allergies, then we recommend replacing them every 30 to 60 days. If you have pets, we recommend the same replacement every 30 to 60 days.
Regularly Clean and Maintain Your HVAC System
Regularly cleaning and maintaining your HVAC system is important if you want fresh, clean air throughout your home during hot, humid months. Start by scheduling professional HVAC maintenance every six months to inspect and clean components such as coils, ductwork, and filters. We also recommend changing your air filters every 60 to 90 days and more frequently if you find yourself removing a lot of dust and debris from your filters when you change them. Keep your outdoor units clean and make sure all vegetation is trimmed sufficiently so that it won’t grow into your unit’s grilles. Regular maintenance and cleaning will also increase your HVAC system’s life expectancy.
Increase Ventilation With Fans and Exhausts
Increasing ventilation with fans and exhausts is a great way to improve your indoor air quality because it helps remove the feeling of humidity by circulating air and creating a cooler breeze. When air is pushed over your skin, it creates a cooling sensation that helps the room feel fresher and more comfortable. You can also use exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to move hot air out of your home.
If you do not have a whole-house fan, we recommend setting up several portable fans around your home. You may want to use these fans with or without the windows open. Fans are a more natural ventilation system, but it’s important to remember that although they will help the air feel fresher and create a sense of temperature drop, your HVAC system needs air conditioning in order to actually drop your indoor temperature significantly.
Keep Indoor Plants for Natural Air Purification
Indoor plants are a great natural and effective way to purify indoor air and boost indoor air quality year-round, not just during the hot, humid months. Plants such as peace lilies, snake plants, and spider plants are known for their air-purifying properties. They absorb harmful toxins and release oxygen.
Plants will also increase humidity levels through transpiration and can balance indoor moisture levels as a result. If you are adding indoor plants to your home, we recommend adding one to two plants per 500 square feet of indoor space. We also recommend spreading the plants out so that the benefits are felt in each room. Just remember that these plants do require care. You will need to water and trim them as needed in order to keep them healthy and make it possible for them to purify your air.
Avoid Smoking Indoors
This might seem self-explanatory, but many homeowners forget how much smoking can create poor indoor air quality that is unhealthy to breathe. Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals and pollutants that linger in the air for long periods of time and contribute to indoor air pollution. These pollutants can stay in the air for a long time and contribute to indoor air pollution. Cigarette smoke also leaves behind funky odors and can make warm, humid weather worse by mixing smells of wet dog with that of smoke.
Contact Us Today
Maintaining indoor air quality during hot, humid summer months isn’t just about comfort but also about protecting your health. By implementing the tips and strategies we’ve outlined, you can manage your home’s humidity levels, limit allergens, and make sure that your indoor air quality is high with fresh, clean air. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system, using dehumidifiers, and ensuring proper ventilation are important steps toward reaching this goal.
If you find it difficult and overwhelming, reach out to us and schedule an appointment. We would be happy to help you create a healthier indoor environment and banish humidity from your home. We also offer smart thermostats, ductwork, property management, and a wide variety of cooling and heating services. Please contact us at Roland Black Heating & Cooling and get started achieving healthier indoor air quality in your Gastonia home.