As the kids head back to school and routines settle into place, families naturally start spending more time indoors—whether it’s doing homework at the kitchen table, relaxing after a long day, or gathering for dinner. But while you’re focused on school supplies and after-school activities, there’s one important factor that often gets overlooked: your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ).
We know how important it is to keep your home safe, healthy, and comfortable—especially during the school year. Clean indoor air supports everything from immune health to sleep quality and cognitive performance. Let’s explore why indoor air quality matters more than ever this time of year—and what you can do to protect your family.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters During the School Year
With summer behind us, open windows are closed, ACs are running longer, and ventilation decreases in many homes. That means airborne contaminants like dust, pollen, pet dander, and even bacteria and viruses start to accumulate indoors. Here’s why that’s a problem:
- Kids are more susceptible to poor air quality due to their developing lungs and immune systems.
- School germs come home, and without proper filtration, they can linger and spread.
- More time indoors means longer exposure to indoor allergens and pollutants.
Poor IAQ can lead to fatigue, headaches, congestion, and worsened allergy or asthma symptoms—not ideal during a busy school week. Simply put, when your indoor air isn’t clean, it affects your family’s health, energy levels, and productivity.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
Some indoor pollutants are obvious—like dust or pet hair—but many are invisible. Common IAQ issues we see include:
- Mold spores from damp areas or HVAC systems
- Dust mites in carpets and upholstery
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from cleaning products or furniture
- Pollen brought in on shoes and clothing
- Bacteria and viruses circulating through shared air
Left unchecked, these pollutants can circulate again and again through your HVAC system.
How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality This Fall
1. Whole-House Air Purifiers
Unlike small plug-in units, whole-house air purifiers are integrated directly into your HVAC system. They remove airborne contaminants as air circulates through your home, eliminating everything from allergens to bacteria. We offer powerful systems that can trap microscopic particles and neutralize airborne pathogens—providing cleaner air in every room.
2. UV Germicidal Lights
Installed inside your ductwork or near the indoor coil, UV lights use ultraviolet radiation to kill mold spores, viruses, and bacteria before they spread through your home. This is an excellent option for families concerned about germs during the school year.
3. Routine HVAC Maintenance
Regular maintenance keeps your heating and cooling system clean and efficient. It also helps prevent mold buildup in condensate lines and ensures filters are doing their job. We recommend scheduling fall maintenance early in the school season to make sure your system is clean, properly calibrated, and ready to keep your family comfortable through the cooler months.
4. High-Efficiency Filters
Standard air filters don’t catch much beyond large dust particles. If anyone in your household has allergies or asthma, upgrading to a higher-efficiency filter (such as MERV 11 or higher) can drastically improve your IAQ—especially during cold and flu season.
Making families happy on the Space Coast since 1975. Schedule an appointment with Complete Air & Heat, Inc.