4 HVAC Tips to Help With a Dusty Home

HVAC System for a Dusty Home — Douglasville, GA — Parks Davis Air Conditioning & Heating

1. Maintain Your Furnace Filter

All the air that your HVAC system circulates through your home passes through the furnace filter. In this way, the furnace filter is the first line of defense when it comes to reducing airborne dust. A filter that is clogged with dust and dirt won't be able to trap more dust from the air. Depending on the type of filter you have, you should make a priority to clean or replace it once a month.

In addition to furnace maintaining your furnace filter, you can also see improvements in indoor dust levels when you upgrade to a more efficient filter. Replaceable fiberglass filters have larger spaces between their fibers that some dust can pass through, and they clog easily. An advanced filter, such as an electrostatic filter, will do a much better job of keeping dust out of your home's air.

2. Patch Duct Leaks

Most homeowners are concerned with duct leaks because they allow heated and cooled air to escape and waste energy. However, duct leaks are also problematic because they can draw unconditioned air into your ductwork. This air comes from some of the dustiest areas of your home like crawlspaces and your basement, so duct leaks can significantly increase the concentration of dust in the air.

Patching duct leaks in exposed areas, such as your attic, isn't difficult for DIY-oriented homeowners. The problem is that duct leaks can often develop in ductwork behind walls where homeowners can't reach them. An HVAC technician can give you a complete picture of your ductwork and patch leaks that would otherwise go unnoticed.

3. Get Professional Furnace and Duct Cleaning

Dust doesn't just accumulate on your furnace filter as you use your HVAC system. Over time, dust in the air will build up inside the furnace air handler as well as on the interior of your ducts. Layers of dust in these areas could provide a constant supply of dust from your vents every time you use your furnace or AC, even if your furnace filter is clean.

You can inspect the interior of your furnace for dust by removing the furnace access panel, and you may be able to remove much of the dust with a vacuum hose attachment. Alternatively, you can rely on the services of a professional for more thorough results. An HVAC technician can provide thorough internal cleaning for your furnace as well as professional duct cleaning to ensure your system is as dust-free as possible.

4. Invest in HVAC Add-ons

Homeowners who are looking for optimum indoor air quality will benefit from whole-house HVAC add-ons such as air purifiers and dehumidifiers. These devices are installed in your ductwork, typically in the return duct to process air before it is returned to the air handler. HVAC add-ons provide consistent air quality improvements in every room.

Air purifiers are great at removing dust and other pollutants from the air. One popular option is an ionizing purifier, which electrically charges contaminants in the air so that they stick to metal plates inside the purifier. Dehumidifiers remove moisture in the air that dust and other particles cling to, which makes it harder for them to circulate through your home.

With a little help from your HVAC system, you can enjoy a home that is as close to dust-free as possible. Contact Parks Davis Air Conditioning & Heating today for professional duct cleaning and all your other HVAC needs!