Why Your Home Needs An Air Quality Checkup

California may have beautiful vistas, but seven of 10 most polluted cities in the U.S. are in the Golden State. You may not be able to control the air quality on the sidewalk, but there are steps you can take to improve circulation and reduce VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in your own home.

Indoor air quality hits a low when the house is closed up, like when the AC is blasting in the height of summer. This is where properly designed air return ducts come in. Like the veins of your home's circulatory system, air return ducts enable peripheral rooms to remain comfortable while cycling air into your home without loosing energy efficiency. If you don't feel your air return ducts are providing adequate ventilation, it's time to schedule a checkup with a HomeAdvisor HVAC pro.

Even if air return ducts are doing their job well, it is still helpful to open up windows and let fresh air flow through your home on more mild days. You can also improve air quality by limiting the amount of volatile chemicals you put into your home. Even if you aren't spraying intense anti-pest chemicals, things like candles and simple cleaning products can plummet your home's air quality. Also, inexpensive furniture made from plywood can contain formaldehyde — yikes! Take steps to improve your home's air quality by purchasing hardwood furniture and opting for natural cleaning products.

Unfortunately, an air duct cleaning isn't a fix-all to improve air quality. However, if you encounter issues like mold, you'll need to clean ducts frequently as part of your mold remediation process. There may also be deceased pests and vermin hiding in your air ducts causing foul odors.

If mold isn't an issue for you, regular duct cleaning should still be a part of your HVAC maintenance. Most duct cleaning services will include a new air filter, which is paramount to keeping your heating and cooling systems working properly. You can also schedule an evaluation to see if your ductwork has any leaks or limitations for optimal energy consumption.

Taking care of your home's circulatory system is similar to caring for your own. The process is twofold: be wary of the things you put in that can cause clogging and chemical buildup, and schedule a visit to the doctor now and then to ensure everything is working properly.

HomeAdvisor is a Patch promotional partner.