Florida’s high levels of pollen, and the most powerful allergy season in the country, make knowing how to improve indoor air quality high on every Floridian’s list.

Airborne contaminants cause irritation and can trigger asthma attacks and allergies. The warm Florida climate and high humidity increase the concentrations of mildew, mold, and fungus.

The average American spends 87% of their life inside buildings. This makes indoor air quality and AC maintenance a top priority in Florida. Before you start sneezing your way through another summer season, check out our tips for improving indoor air quality.

Change Air Filters

The filters on your AC unit need to be changed at least every three months. Because of the Florida environment, they accumulate a large amount of dirt and dust. This reduces airflow and lowers indoor air quality.

Changing the filter helps lengthen the life of your AC unit. When the filters are dirty, the AC unit works harder, uses more electricity, and is at a higher risk of needing AC repair.

As you move into the hotter summer months and are using your AC daily, you need to clean your filters between changes. This is especially true if you have pets or live in an older home that develops more dust bunnies.

To clean the filter, use the hose attachment on your vacuum set on low. Use gentle pressure, so you don’t bend the filter.

Check Air Ducts

Those little behind-the-wall tunnels transporting hot and cold air throughout your home also distribute contamination. Improper installation or poor maintenance can allow dander, dust, and mold to accumulate inside, lowering your air quality.

If you haven’t scheduled a heating and cooling professional to clean your air ducts in a while, now is the time to get them done. You want to be breathing clean indoor air during the height of allergy season.

Regular AC maintenance checks are a good way to avoid costly repairs and keep your unit running in prime condition.

Clean the Coils

Another important step in regular AC maintenance is cleaning the coils of your unit. The coils constantly take in warm air and convert it to cold before distributing it back into the home. Over time grime and dirt that make their way through the filters build up on the coils.

Cleaning your coils ensures the AC unit runs well and produces clean air. If you are not familiar with this process, call for North Port AC maintenance. Your service technician can show you the steps for keeping the coils clean.

Following cleaning directions is important due to the coil fins. This is a small component of the AC coils.

If it becomes bent, it can cause damage by blocking the airflow between the foil and the rest of the AC unit. This blockage causes the system to work harder than it should.

Your air conditioning and heating professional will know if your coils are in good shape, need repair, or need to be replaced.

Don’t Hide the Unit

Don’t try to hide your AC behind decorative bushes. The area around your unit needs to be kept clear of plant life. Branches can block airflow to the system, and deep roots can damage the unit below ground.

Schedule to Improve Indoor Air Quality Today

If you need ac repair or are looking for AC maintenance to improve indoor air quality, call Cliffs Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc at 941-619-2863. We offer 24/hour emergency service and have been servicing North Port, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte since 1978.

Our indoor air quality specialists will help you find the solutions necessary to boost the quality of air in your home or office. It’s easy to request a quote or schedule a service appointment.