
For Portland residents, it pays to be proactive about indoor air quality. Before higher pollen counts and wildfire season cause respiratory issues, you can use our local indoor air quality service to test your indoor air for pollutants. Then, Central Air Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can recommend the best indoor air pollution solutions for your home.
As the weather changes, plants start releasing pollen. Even though springtime doesn’t get particularly hot in Portland, pollen is still an issue. Additionally, the extra humidity from cool, rainy days can cause mold growth. Because of this, it’s important to be proactive about your home’s air quality.
How Springtime Weather Affects Indoor Air Quality
How weather affects indoor air quality can vary based on the time of the year and your location. If you live in Portland, spring typically brings an increase in pollen from trees, grass, and flowers. Pollen and other allergens can enter through open windows and doors.
Meanwhile, chilly, wet springtimes can lead to mold and mildew growth. If your indoor humidity is too high, you can use a whole-house dehumidifier to lower the air’s moisture content.
Finally, dust accumulation can cause respiratory issues in the springtime. Counterintuitively, spring cleaning can cause additional dust in the air, leading to poor air quality.
If you need to improve indoor air quality this spring, you can start by getting your air tested for contaminants. Then, an air purifier can be installed to decrease the allergens, chemicals, and dust in your air. We can also test your home’s humidity levels to determine if you need a humidifier or a dehumidifier.
Our team can help you find the top indoor air solutions in Portland. Call us today to learn more.
How Summertime Weather Affects Indoor Air Quality
There are also seasonal indoor air quality changes to navigate in the summertime. As the weather heats up in Portland, the rainy weather clears up. Many residents switch on their air conditioners to cool off. Unfortunately, dirty air filters and poor maintenance can cause air conditioners to circulate pollutants.
During hot weather, indoor moisture levels can sometimes increase because hot air can store more water than cold air. If this occurs, it can lead to higher levels of mold growth. Additionally, high humidity can increase dust mites in your home, causing worse allergy issues.
Pets are also a common source of respiratory problems. While they shed all year long, shedding and pet dander are typically worse during the summertime.
Fortunately, there are easy ways you can improve indoor air quality in the summer. After determining the underlying cause of your indoor air quality issues, our team can help you figure out the air purifier, dehumidifier, or humidifier that your home needs.
Discover the best air purifier for your home by reaching out to our team today!
Top IAQ Tips for Spring and Summer
Portland residents can improve their indoor air quality by taking advantage of a few IAQ tips. If you’re uncertain about how to improve your indoor air quality, our team can help you test your air quality and find the best IAQ solutions.
Test Your Air Quality
To boost air quality, start by reaching out to indoor air quality service companies near you. One of our HVAC experts can test your home’s humidity levels and provide the required solutions to enhance air quality.
Schedule Routine Maintenance
Through the best HVAC maintenance for indoor air quality, you can improve your home’s energy efficiency and air quality. One of our team members will inspect and clean your HVAC components. If there are any issues, we’ll diagnose them during our routine maintenance appointment so that you can proactively repair problems and prevent an unexpected breakdown.
Clean Your Air Ducts
To boost your air quality, you should get your ducts cleaned. Dust, pollen, and mold spores can build up in your ductwork over time, so you need to periodically get your ducts cleaned out.
Adjust Humidity Levels
With the help of a hygrometer, you can easily monitor the humidity level in your home. Then, you can use a humidifier or dehumidifier to quickly adjust your home’s humidity.
Ventilate Your Home
You can easily enhance your air quality by opening your windows and doors when the pollen count is low. This helps to ventilate the air inside your home and reduce indoor contaminants. You can also avoid the buildup of combustion byproducts and moisture by using exhaust fans when you’re cooking or showering.
Invest in Whole-Home Air Purifiers
From hazardous wildfire smoke to high pollen counts, a whole-home air purifier can filter out a range of different contaminants. The type of air purifier depends on your family’s needs and the main IAQ problem you’re dealing with. One of our team members can work with you to pick the right purifier for reducing pollutants, odors, and allergens.
When Do You Need To Get Professional Help?
While seasonal indoor air quality changes are normal, they can lead to respiratory issues. If you notice the following signs, you may need to reach out for professional help.
- Unexplained Headaches: If you and your loved ones experience frequent headaches, the underlying problem may be your air quality.
- Respiratory Illnesses: Frequent respiratory issues may be related to pollen, dust, and contaminants in the air.
- Musty Smells: If you smell musty odors or see mold, you may be dealing with a humidity-related issue.
- Dry Skin and Chapped Lips: Static electricity, dry skin, and chapped lips are major indications that your home has a low humidity level. While low humidity is less of a problem in Portland, it can occur in the summer and as a result of heavy HVAC use.
Boost Your Home’s IAQ This Spring and Summer
If you are experiencing frequent respiratory problems or severe allergies, you may need the help of a local indoor air quality service in Portland. With a few simple IAQ improvements, you can enhance your family’s comfort and well-being. Additionally, important IAQ solutions, like clean air filters and routine maintenance, can also improve the energy efficiency of your HVAC system.
Our HVAC professionals can help with all of your air quality concerns. Learn more about our IAQ solutions by filling out our online form today.