As temperatures start to rise during summer, people with seasonal allergies may experience more frequent allergy flare-ups and symptoms. This includes itchy eyes and sinus irritation. Below, we’ll discuss why air quality seems worse in the summer and what you can do to make your home a relaxing escape from unpleasant symptoms.
Increased Outdoor Contaminants
One of the biggest contributors to poor air quality during the summer is the natural effect high temperatures have on the environment. Higher temperatures from the sun can stimulate the production of VOCs that cause ground-level ozone. This increases the amount of smog that stays close to the ground, which is toxic to your health. When you’re also exposed to an increase in pollen and even outdoor smoke from firepits and wildfires, it’s no surprise that air quality is often lower in the summer.
Trapping Unwanted Contaminants in Your Home
Many homeowners close their doors and windows and run air conditioning equipment during the summertime when temperatures are high. This traps unwanted contaminants inside the home and circulates them. Without the introduction of fresh outside air to reduce high concentrations of particulate matter and contaminants, we must use other methods to remove unwanted contaminants. This includes whole-house air filtration equipment and UV sanitizing lights.
The Effect Humidity Has
Though Colorado is relatively dry compared to other areas of the USA, humidity trapped inside during the winter can have an impact on air quality that carries over into the summer months. When humidity gets trapped in environments like a crawl space, it can allow mold and mildew to grow. These spores can be damaging to your respiratory system and drastically reduce your indoor air quality. If you are unaware that mold is present, it can continue to grow and spread, worsening the problem.
The Impact of Chemical Off-Gassing
Furniture, paint, carpets, flooring, and other items in your home may release volatile organic compounds, or VOCs for short. Heat can increase the number of chemical reactions that take place in the summertime. You may experience more off-gassing from your household items. This will lead to a higher concentration of VOCs inside your home and can cause symptoms such as frequent headaches, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness. Long-term VOC exposure has the potential to increase your risk of developing cancer.
Pest Activity
When the weather is nice outside, insects and rodents are very active. Unfortunately, if they start to infiltrate your home or you simply have a poorly sealed home, they can affect your indoor air quality. Fur, dander, fecal matter, and even urine will all reduce your indoor air quality level. Exposure to these contaminants can make you very sick.
High-Rated AC Filter
One of the easiest ways to help boost your indoor air quality during the summer months is to invest in an HVAC filter with a high MERV rating. Typically, homeowners should invest in a filter with a rating ranging from 8 to 12. This provides an optimal level of filtration but allows for ample airflow through your system to prevent strain and damage while supporting efficiency. Filters with a rating higher than 12 are intended for more powerful and commercial HVAC systems only.
It’s also important to regularly check your filter at least once a month. Hold the filter up to a light and look through it. If you can’t see through it, it’s time for a replacement. You should also inspect for filter damage. Most homeowners find that they need to replace their filters every 30 to 90 days for optimal indoor air quality.
Extended Media Filter
A step up from a traditional HVAC filter is an extended media filter. This filtration uses the traditional concept of air blowing through the filter and trapping unwanted particles. The main difference is an extended filter has multiple filters in one unit that work to remove different airborne pathogens. Many even come with an activated carbon filter to remove unpleasant odors from your indoor air. Extended media filters typically need to be changed once every 6 to 12 months.
Whole-Home Sanitization
If you or another member of your family suffers from severe allergies, a chronic respiratory condition, or even asthma, you may be interested in ways to support your indoor air quality even further. Using a whole-home air sanitizing system can be highly beneficial. This type of system relies on a UV germicidal light that damages the DNA of unwanted airborne particles in your home. This prevents the particles from impacting your health and well-being.
UV-C light can help you remove many different airborne contaminants, including pathogens like bacteria and viruses. There are different styles of sanitizing and purification systems available. This includes air sanitizing and coil sanitizing devices.
Air sanitizing units are installed in your return ductwork to treat air as it flows through the ducting. Coil sanitizing systems have a light that sits over the evaporator coil inside your indoor air handler unit and not only treats the air but also prevents toxic mold and mildew growth on the coil.
Duct Cleaning
While ductwork is essential for moving air throughout your home, this is an area that can experience a buildup of particulate matter over time. Debris like pet dander, dust mites, and pollen can accumulate inside your ducting. This can restrict airflow, causing your air conditioning system to overwork and drastically reduce your indoor air quality.
One of the best ways to address this issue is to schedule duct cleaning services approximately once every three to five years. This process includes one of our professionals thoroughly cleaning the interior of your ducting to remove the buildup of debris. If anyone in your home has allergies, asthma, or another respiratory condition, consider more frequent cleaning every one to two years.
Air Quality Testing
If you’re concerned about your indoor air quality level, you may want to consider getting it professionally tested. Air quality testing uses specialized tools to detect known airborne contaminants inside your home. We’ll test multiple rooms and surfaces to get an idea of the air quality that is in your home.
There are many different pollutants that can contaminate your indoor air.
- Particulate matter
- VOCs
- Carbon monoxide
- Mold spores
- Dust and dust mites
- Pet dander
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Radon
- Biological contaminants
This can be a great starting point for detecting your most prominent airborne contaminants and allow you to make a better-informed decision about which air quality products will best meet your needs. You can even follow up with air quality testing a couple of months after installing a new indoor air quality product to see how it improves your air quality level.
Reliable Indoor Air Quality Service
Fox Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offers reliable indoor air quality service for the Wheat Ridge, CO community. Our residential and commercial HVAC company can also assist with the selection and installation of air purification equipment, emergency repairs, and routine HVAC maintenance needs.
Call Fox Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today to schedule your next service appointment with one of our helpful HVAC technicians in the Wheat Ridge area.
