The summer has nearly arrived in Hampton, Virginia. While there are many worries about travel at the moment because of COVID-19, airlines are starting to resume normal flights and attractions are opening for business. If you’re planning to take a family vacation this summer, don’t forget about your indoor air quality. Indoor air quality (IAQ) can suffer during times you’re away from home for an extended time. Learn what causes IAQ problems and how to prevent them.
Problems From Poor Ventilation
When you’re leaving for vacation, you probably lock up the house and turn your HVAC system off or to a higher temperature. While securing your home and saving money on air conditioning makes sense, these actions can also cause lower IAQ. When your home gets sealed tightly, indoor air can become stagnant from lack of circulation. Contaminants such as pollen, dander and bacteria don’t get filtered from the air. As a result, they can negatively impact indoor air quality.
High Humidity Issues
Hampton summers can get sticky. Without your home’s air conditioner running or set at its normal temperature, the air inside your home will become more humid. Higher humidity levels allow dust mites, mildew, viruses, microbial and bacteria to breed. That’s the last thing you want to return home to after your family vacation.
Concerns Facing Pets
If you leave your dog at home with a sitter or have a friend coming by to check on your cat, your pet will still shed and leave dander behind. Pet dander is light and doesn’t settle. Without your HVAC system properly filtering pet dander from the air, you could face an increase in the level of dander in the home. Change your filter before leaving.
Maintain Proper Indoor Air Quality
One of the simplest ways to maintain better IAQ while you’re away is to keep your HVAC system running. No, you don’t have to keep the thermostat at its normal setting. But with the system running, you can keep air circulating consistently throughout your home.
If you decide to turn off your HVAC system, think about using a dehumidifier to keep humidity low. Also, consider leaving ceiling fans on to keep air moving.
Don’t let indoor air quality problems keep you from enjoying your summer vacation. For information about how to maintain good IAQ, call Kearney & Sons today.
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