How to Improve Airflow for a Healthier, More Efficient Home

Improve airflow to make your home environment healthier and your home more energy efficient.

The EPA says indoor air is generally more polluted than outdoor air. And although allergies, itchy eyes, and runny noses are generally linked with the spring and maybe fall seasons, not all of these symptoms are caused by pollen alone. Poor indoor air quality could be the culprit. Since cleaner air makes for a healthier environment, inside and out, let’s discuss how you can make that happen in your home. Let’s talk about how you can improve airflow to make your home environment healthier and your home more energy efficient.

Improve Airflow – Change Your Air Filter

This is the simplest and most important thing you can do to improve airflow. Often is always a good time to change your air filter. But the general rule of thumb is to change air filters every month or two. If you are unsure whether or not your filter needs to be changed, take a look at the air ducts. Do you see dust and dirt build-up on the registers? If so, now is the time to replace that air filter with a clean one. A clean air filter reduces the number of allergens that build up in your HVAC system.

If you tire of changing your air filters what seems like all the time, consider a Trane CleanEffects Air Cleaner. Its cartridge is removable so it can be washed and reused. If you suffer from a respiratory ailment such as asthma or allergies, a Trane CleanEffects Air Cleaner removes up to 99.98% of airborne particles, more allergens and dust than regular filters. It’s better to have an air cleaner remove pollutants from the air than to have your lungs do that for you, right? Contact Blue Frost Heating & Cooling at (630) 444-0860 to schedule installation.

Keep Air Return Shafts Clear to Improve Airflow

Wherever the air return shaft is located in your home, make sure it is accessible. You may not like to look at it, but placing furniture in front of it forces your HVAC system to work much harder to heat or cool your home. If you don’t like the looks of it, most home improvement stores carry a wide selection of cosmetically-appealing options for vents.

Properly Sealed Ductwork Improves Airflow

Properly sealed ductwork will also improve airflow in your home. Have your ductwork inspected. Leaky ductwork causes less warm or cool air to get where you need it to go. This also makes your system work harder to heat and cool your home.

According to the US Dept. of Energy, Energy Star, and the EPA, the average residential duct system leaks 20 to 40 percent of already cooled or heated air into the ceilings, walls, and basement of a home. Such inefficiency can be solved with properly sealed ductwork. If you think this may be happening in your home, call Blue Frost Heating & Cooling at (630) 444-0860. We’ll perform an inspection. Sealing your ductwork will improve the energy-efficiency of your home.

Improve Airflow with Fresh Air

It may be extremely frigid outside, but open the windows and use a fan to draw in outside air for a short period of time. This increases airflow and helps rid your home of toxins. A home environment that has been closed up for months allows toxins to build up creating indoor pollution.

Breathe Easier and Enjoy Savings with Improved Airflow

With improved airflow, your home can be a healthier place to live and more energy efficient. Make time to improve airflow in your home with these simple DIY tips or contact Blue Frost Heating & Cooling at (630) 444-0860 today. Our HVAC specialists can install a quality air cleaner and inspect and seal your leaky ductwork, too. Remember, upfront investments yield long-term benefits in your health and wallet.