Excessive dust in your home? Your HVAC system could be part of the problem.

Have you ever done a deep cleaning of your Hudson Valley home one day, only to notice a thin layer of the dust accumulating on your countertops and knick-knacks just a few days later?

Talk about frustrating! The question is, why does it happen?

Believe it or not, one of the main culprits for excessive indoor dust could be your HVAC system. The good news is, if that’s the case, is that there are some easy ways to fix the problem.

Here are four ways you can address HVAC problems that lead to an excessive build up of dust in your Hudson Valley home:

1. Clean smarter. Vacuum floors using a HEPA filter vacuum once a week. Don’t skip the hardwoods, either: mop them frequently with white vinegar and water. The goal here is to reduce the burden on your HVAC filters (see #2 below) and help the air in your home to move more freely.
2. Change HVAC filters regularly – When you’re searching for clues about dust accumulation in your Hudson Valley home, the condition of your HVAC system’s air filter can be revealing.

   Over time – especially if you have a dusty home or shedding pets – an HVAC air filter will clog with efficiency-robbing debris – a problem that, if left unaddressed, will lead to problems that are more difficult to mitigate than a simple dust problem (costly HVAC repairs, for example).

   Check your air filter a minimum of once per month during peak cooling (and heating) season, replacing it when necessary. Remember, too, that not all filters are created equal: filters with a higher MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating will block more dust, but you pay for that dust-blocking power with a slight loss of operating efficiency (and a higher cost for your replacement filter).

3. Get routine maintenance for your HVAC system. When it comes to getting the most out of your home HVAC system – including making sure air is flowing the way it should – there’s no substitute for a comprehensive service by an expert technician. With proper care, you’ll be sure your HVAC systems will keep the air clear and moving throughout your home.
4. Consider professional duct sealing. Holes or cracks in your ductwork can draw dust in and redistribute it throughout the house. Unfortunately, not all of those cracks or holes are in places that can be easily seen; to solve the problem and reduce the amount of dust circulating in your house, you need professional duct sealing – an investment that could be worthwhile, considering that anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of the air you pay to cool or heat also gets lost via duct leaks.
5. Keep proper humidity levels. Dust flows freely through dry air – which means it will travel much farther through an HVAC system in an over-dry home. Properly humidified air – produced with the help of a high-quality whole house humidifier – can reduce the movement of dust in your ducts, and throughout your home.

Control dust in your Hudson Valley home with expert heating and cooling maintenance from the pros at Bottini Fuel. Experience the Bottini Difference for yourself – contact us today to learn more.