Airing it out
Upgrades to home HVAC can yield a wealth of benefits
The pandemic has had a steady influence over the to-do lists of homeowners across the country. From reallocating vacation funds to build pools or buy boats, to updating backsplash tiles in the hours once reserved for social outings or youth sports, there’s been a lot to do at a time when “doing things” is widely discouraged.
Summer provided an opportunity for both household projects and socially distant outdoor experiences in the open air. Priorities will soon shift this fall in preparation for time spent solely inside, where experts believe the coronavirus can spread more easily.
According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, the virus can remain airborne for longer times and further distances than originally thought, and can also be transmitted via airborne particles indoors --which doesn’t just apply to commercial properties like malls, movie theaters or gyms.
So before another puzzle box breaks open and its pieces scatter across the table this winter, homeowners are considering how to put household health and safety at the top of a new to do list, taking a break from cosmetic updates and heading to the basement or utility closet to give their heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit some TLC.
“The first thing you should do in the home is upgrade the filtration system,” says Jason Bethon, residential project manager at Albany Mechanical Services Inc., an HVAC contractor in Green Island with 40 years of experience servicing residential and commercial clients. Air filters are graded by minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV), which means how many particles and of what size the filter catches.
“MERV 13 is the highest grade for a residential furnace, and will make a great difference in helping catch particles, bacteria and allergens,” Bethon says. Bethon says replacing the furnace filter is an easy
DIY project, and those can be purchased individually or in multipacks for around $50 or less. But the more difficult part is remembering to consistently check
the filter once it’s in place. The better the filter, the more often it should be checked, Bethon says, as it will catch more particles than a lower grade product, getting dirty faster. “You should check your filter every month, and replace it every two or three months in a home with a lot of foot traffic, pets or people with allergies,” said Bethon. “If you forget and find that it’s dirty, the filter is not doing its job and is also putting a lot of stress on your furnace and air conditioning.” For many homes, upgrading the furnace filter can improve air quality and bring peace of mind without
having to consult a professional for help. But Bethon says he’s received more calls this year than ever before with inquiries about additional technology and accessories, especially for households where people have allergies or other health concerns. “PRE-COVID, we were installing one or two high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) systems a year, and typically not in residential properties,” said Bethon. “We’ve put in many more this summer and have seen an increase in inquiries about HEPA filters and people wanting to upgrade their existing systems with UV lights, or by
Air quality monitors help monitor chemicals and odors in the air that may cause negative health effects.”
— Sarah Dodd, vice president of merchandising at Lowe’s Home Improvement
adding humidifiers or dehumidifiers.”
Barbara Lafleur recently replaced the HVAC system in her North Greenbush condo using Albany Mechanical Services, and chose to upgrade her filter and add UV lights to help with her allergies and because she has pets.
“Since replacing my system, I don’t have as many problems with congestion and allergies, so apparently I did the right thing,” Lafleur said. She also opted for the ongoing maintenance contract with Albany Mechanical Services, which includes routine service on her new unit to make sure it stays in working order, as well as a discount on parts and labor.
“You’re paying good money for this equipment and you want to maintain it,” she said. “It’s like changing the oil in your car --you just have to do it. They’ve made it really easy for me.”
Bethon says with new technology coming into the market, now is a good time for homeowners to upgrade their current systems.
“It might be 20 years old and still working, but a more energy efficient system with the ability to easily add-on new accessories and products is beneficial in the long term.”
Whether it’s time for an entirely new system or an upgraded filter, there are a few other improvements homeowners can make throughout the living spaces of the home on ground level, too.
“As people update their homes, they are becoming interested in motion-sensing trash cans and touchless faucets, along with appliances and bathroom fixtures that feature antimicrobial technology,” said Sarah Dodd, vice president of merchandising at Lowe’s Home Improvement.
“Antimicrobial technology helps products stay cleaner and fresher by reducing stains, odors and buildup of mold and mildew, and these products tend to last longer than products with untreated surfaces.”
At-home upgrades that incorporate antimicrobial technology can include washers and dryers, shower heads, automatic faucets and soap dispensers, many of which can be purchased and installed directly by the homeowner, allowing for quick fixes that can make a lasting impact on cleanliness.
Lowe’s Cleaning Essentials list also recommends robotic vacuums, allowing for more frequent and low maintenance cleaning that removes dusts, dirt, hair and allergens from the floor with the press of a button. Robotic vacuums are another piece of touch free technology that can do double duty in making the home dirt and dust-free heading into a season commonly known to cause sickness.
And to make sure homeowners are truly getting their money’s worth after all the upgrades, especially the investment to improve air quality, Dodd recommends the purchase of an air quality monitor.
“Air quality monitors help monitor chemicals and odors in the air that may cause negative health effects,” Dodd said. These Bluetooth-connected devices track airborne chemicals, humidity, mold risk and temperature to check air quality from
room to room.
With a renewed sense of urgency on home health, cleanliness and safety, this fall’s to-do list might not involve climbing a ladder or a bright, new bucket of paint --but it will leave you breathing a lot easier.