The changing of the seasons affects more than the weather outside. You may be surprised to know that this shift can also impact the air inside your home.
For the fall season, keep these key factors in mind to help ensure your indoor air quality doesn’t suffer in the cooler months.
Mold and Mildew Become Bigger Threats
The leaves that change color and drop in the fall might look beautiful, but they collect moisture and encourage fungal growth. As people walk through those leaves, they pick up mold spores and carry them into your home.
Scheduling air duct cleaning can help address this indoor air quality issue. Additionally, keep up with furnace filter changes throughout the fall to remove mold spores as they enter your home.
Are There More Allergens in the Home During Fall?
Yes, you might already have pollen and other allergens trapped in your home. Keeping your doors and windows closed as the weather cools gives those allergens an opportunity to accumulate.
Fall HVAC service can address this common indoor air quality issue. During service, the technician will clean the various components. This helps remove most of the allergens from your home before you use your furnace for the first time in the fall.
Heating Systems Push More Contaminants Into Living Spaces
In addition to discovering hidden furnace repair issues, a fall tune-up removes dirt and debris that have collected in the system through months of nonuse. If you have ever used your furnace without pre-season maintenance, you’re likely familiar with that burning odor. In addition, the burning off of that dirt contaminates your home’s air quality.
You Can Encounter Exposure to Harmful Fumes
Most people forget just how much air quality matters in the fall. Once you seal your windows and close your doors, your furnace is the only source of air circulation in your home.
This means if your furnace has a damaged heat exchanger, any heated air that enters your living spaces will contain carbon monoxide. A fuel line leak can introduce natural gas, leading to a dangerous situation. Your HVAC company can handle comprehensive furnace maintenance to ensure your furnace provides clean and safe air.
What Activities Release Harmful Compounds Into Your Air?
Certain activities can seem harmless yet release hazards into your home’s air. Before lighting that scented candle, make sure it doesn’t contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If painting is a hobby, make sure you buy VOC-free paints as well.
Using an air purifier can help you mitigate these hazards to some extent. If you plan to use a fireplace, woodworking adhesive, or engage in any hobby that will affect your indoor air quality, make sure your air purifier is active. It can help to install a whole-house air purifier and keep it running through fall and winter as well.
Let the Pros Safeguard Your Indoor Air Quality This Fall
When you partner with Daigle Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, you can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your indoor air quality is protected by a professional team with years of experience. From a fall furnace tune-up to installing a whole-house air purifier, we can help keep your indoor environment safer. Contact us to learn more about our services in New Hampshire today.
