Revised:
May 9th, 2023
Preventing illnesses in your home starts with your heating and cooling system. By taking steps to keep germs and bacteria out, you can keep your family healthy and avoid the costs, inconvenience, and stress of illness.
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Hi, I’m Roger from Fire & Ice. As a residential sales professional, I have helped thousands of Central Ohio homeowners navigate the complexities of their home’s HVAC system. At Fire & Ice we believe in giving our customers as much information as they need. In this video, we’re going to discuss six ways you can prevent illness in your home. So let's get started.
Regular Filter Changes
The first and probably the easiest way is changing your air filter regularly. Air filters for your heating and cooling system catch particles and germs so they are eliminated from the inside air. For most homes, you should be changing your filter every three months. Some more expensive filters can last up to six months. If you have small children, pets, allergy sufferers, someone in your home smokes, or if someone lives in your home with an autoimmune disorder, you should be changing them more frequently.
Change the Type of Filter in Your System
Different levels of furnace filters have varying levels of filtration. The best ones can stop airborne bacteria and viruses, including COVID! Filters are rated through the MERV system or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This is assigned to filters based on how efficiently they catch particles. A higher MERV is generally better and will catch more and smaller particles.
Have your ductwork regularly cleaned
At Fire & Ice, we typically recommend an air duct cleaning every three to five years. Proper air duct cleaning includes cleaning numerous parts in your HVAC system, including supply vents from your air handler, return air vents, registers, and grilles, and can include the cleaning of internal chambers and parts of your HVAC system that facilitate airflow.
Adding Anti-Bacterial Spray to Ductwork
You can add an anti-bacterial spray to your duct cleaning service to kill any remaining bacteria and germs. It will also ensure that your ducts are the cleanest they’ve likely ever been and will last around six months. It will provide a protective coating to help prevent germs and viruses from getting inside and dispersing throughout your home.
Managing Humidity to Avoid Allergens and Illness
Keeping your humidity levels consistent and installing a dehumidifier inside your basement, if you struggle with moisture issues, can help with bacteria. The ideal home humidity is 30% to 60%. Anything above or below that can lead to health issues and problems with your home. High humidity encourages mold spores, and low humidity is a suitable environment for many bacteria and viruses. Which is why it’s important to have a good balance in your humidity level.
Consider Installing a UV Sanitizer
A UV sanitizer can help kill germs inside your system and prevent them from entering your home. You can look into installing the Reme-Halo Air Purifier or similar products, which removes 99% of bacteria and germs. The Reme neutralizes particulates in the air, including allergens, bacteria, and virus particles. It can be the difference between a horrible flu season and a healthy one.
What are the next steps?
I hope by now you have a better understanding of how you can prevent illness in your home. If you’d like to schedule a service appointment for your system, click the schedule service button at the top of the screen. Thank you for watching and we look forward to making your day better.
