Your home is your safe haven, and if you’re like most homeowners, you want to make it as comfortable as possible. If you’re a Lake Bluff, IL, homeowner who has been looking for a way to upgrade your home, you may want to upgrade your HVAC system. Here are five potential HVAC upgrades that can dramatically improve your health and comfort at home.
1. Upgrade Your Filtration System
When your HVAC system provides heating or cooling, it pulls air from the outside before conditioning it. This air often has spores, biological particles, dust, and other things you don’t want to breathe.
Of course, your existing HVAC system already has filters, but one way to really increase your home air quality is by installing new filters. Over time, filters lose efficacy, and upgrading your HVAC’s existing filters can potentially remove additional harmful particles from your home’s air.
Replacing filters is a major part of maintaining good air quality in your home. However, if indoor air quality is a pressing issue for you, there are additional options to consider—UV air purifiers, whole-house air cleaners and other options can ensure that you have clean air all year round. And even if you aren’t ready for a filter overhaul, it’s worth getting your ducts professionally cleaned to remove any debris or harmful particles.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat
This option may not be as extensive as some on the list, but it can help you save on energy costs (as well as save you the effort of adjusting your manual thermostat each day). These thermostats will let you program temperature changes, and many of them even allow you to set different schedules for weekdays and weekends.
Some smart thermostats also have app connectivity, which allows you to adjust the thermostat from anywhere using your smartphone. Installing one of these thermostats typically is not expensive, and it can be an easy way to improve comfort and quality of life.
3. Install a Zoning System
Installing a zoning system is another way to improve comfort in every area of your home. This type of system relies on dampers in the ductwork to help redirect hot or cool air to parts of your house that need it most.
A zoning system is ideal if one floor of your home is always hotter than the other or if you have a home gym or other area that needs more cooling. Plus, if different family members have different temperature preferences, a zoning system can be a great way to accommodate them all.
4. Install an Energy Recovery Ventilator
There has probably been many times when you wanted to open the windows for fresh air but didn’t for fear of elevating energy costs. With an energy recovery ventilator (ERV), you can provide your home with fresh air without raising energy costs or inviting in biological contaminants.
In homes with very tight construction, you generally don’t have very high energy costs, but lack of air circulation can make your indoor air feel stale or stuffy. With an ERV, your home will regularly receive an influx of fresh, filtered and conditioned air.
5. Install a Whole-House Humidifier or Dehumidifier
Often, homeowners try to alter their indoor air humidity by using standalone humidifiers or dehumidifiers. These are inexpensive options that can do something to remedy the situation, but they don’t have the power to completely change the humidity of your indoor air.
Depending on your preferences, you might want to invest in either a dehumidifier or a humidifier. As a bonus, dehumidifiers can save on energy costs by keeping you comfortable at slightly higher temperatures with lower humidity.
Whether you’re looking to install a new HVAC system or just need some maintenance done on your current one, Ireland Heating and Air Co. can help. If you’re looking to upgrade your HVAC system, give us a call today!
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