Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in your home can lead to costly breakdowns of your HVAC system. It can even shorten its operating life. If you notice any of these signs of poor IAQ in your Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, home, get your HVAC system checked by a professional:
Bad Smell
When you start your furnace in the fall, you may notice a burning smell for a few hours. This is from the dust that has built up over the summer. If the smell doesn’t go away, one of your unit’s electrical components could be malfunctioning. You could also have dust or pests in your furnace. If your house smells stale or musty, you could have biological growth or inadequate ventilation.
A professional can let you know whether a dehumidifier or an energy recovery ventilator will be best for improving your indoor air quality. Dehumidifiers can reduce biological growth in your home. Energy recovery ventilators remove stale air without wasting energy.
Excess Dust
Layers of extra dust on your tables, TVs, floors, lamps and other accessories indicate an indoor air quality problem. Your HVAC system’s air filter should catch most dust before it collects on your furniture. However, a dirty filter will spread contaminants around your home instead.
Change your air filter at least every three months to keep it effective. If you suffer from allergies or have pets, change it every month. If you have increased dust with a new filter, you could have a leak in your insulation that’s letting pollutants into your home.
Health Issues
If you almost always have a cold during winter, or if you’re experiencing increased allergy or asthma symptoms, you could have a dirty air filter or ductwork that needs cleaning. Contact a professional if you or your family members have health problems that get worse when you’re at home.
Berkeley Heating & Air Conditioning has 60 years of HVAC experience. For help with your indoor air quality and excellent service from our expert service technicians, call us anytime at (843) 277-6030.
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