Stop the Spread Before It’s too Late

Stop the Spread Before It’s too Late

5 Ways to Combat the Spread of the Flu in Your Home

The air quality in your Reading home has a direct effect on your family’s health. Since the flu is an airborne illness, your HVAC system plays a vital role in helping you stay healthy.

An inefficient system can significantly increase your risk of sickness. Here are five tips to help ensure that you’re breathing clean air all year long.

Reading, PA Sanitation-StrategiesChange Your Air Filters

It may be the last thing on your mind, but it’s essential to regularly change the filters for your heating and cooling systems.

The best schedule depends on a variety of factors; most Reading homeowners should plan on changing the filters every 60 to 90 days.

Consider choosing a high-efficiency air filter to help remove even the tiniest contaminants, which can travel to the deepest part of the lungs and cause serious illness.

Clean Your Exhaust Fans

Pay special attention to exhaust fans in areas of high contamination like bathrooms and workshops. Their job is to remove particles and germs from indoor air circulation, but without regular care they quickly become dirty and ineffective. Take a few minutes to clean the fans and make sure they’re working efficiently.

Prevent Outside Contamination

Your fresh air intake system helps maintain indoor air quality, but it’s important to make sure it’s set up properly. Most professionals recommend that the system operate at a slightly positive pressure, which reduces the risk of pollutants entering the building.

Check for Dampness

Microorganisms thrive in damp places. If your home has areas of excess humidity or standing water, your HVAC system can pick up the germs and circulate them throughout your home. Clear out any pooled water you find in places like drains, cooling towers, basements, roofs and cooling system drip pans.

Clean Your HVAC System Regularly

Air ducts can harbor contaminants from a variety of sources. Most homeowners should have their air ducts cleaned every three to five years, or under the following circumstances:

  • Visible mold growth
  • Particles being released from registers
  • Clogged or infested ducts

Most people believe that frequent hand-washing is the key to preventing sickness, but the quality of the air you breathe may actually have a bigger effect on your health. For professional HVAC services in your Reading, PA home, call The Plumbing Works at (610) 929-8860.