Controlling Dust Throughout Your House

You can’t blame open windows for that coating of dust inside your home during the winter, which does make it easier to find effective ways for controlling dust that will work year-round. Household dust is a mixture of lint, dead skin cells, animal dander, pollen, dirt and decaying paper. Worse because you can’t see them are the dust mites and their waste that are common triggers for allergies and asthma.

The best ways to reduce the dust load are through avoidance, filtration and housekeeping. Homes with carpeting and upholstered furniture and cloth window coverings tend to be dustier than those that use hard surfaces. Lots of books and papers lying around both attract and generate dust, and pets with fur contribute more than their fair share.

Avoiding Dust

If possible, trade in the carpeting for hard surface flooring. As carpeting and pads age, they break down into a gritty, dust-like substance. Carpets also provide places for dust mites to live and thrive.

Installing rigid blinds or shutters cuts down on indoor dust, and opting for furniture that uses minimal upholstery lowers the load.

Filtering the Dust

If you use a forced-air furnace, use its filter as a means to reduce the dust load by trapping it. Better quality filters will remove smaller particles. If someone in your home suffers from respiratory conditions, it’s worth the small investment to upgrade it, as long as it doesn’t exceed the maximum MERV rating recommended by the furnace’s manufacturer.

If you use radiant heating, use central or portable air cleaners for controlling dust.

Housekeeping Practices

Piles of paper and clothing not kept in closed closets and drawers increase the dust indoors. Instead of sweeping floors, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA-type bag. Launder bedding weekly, and if dust mites are a problem, wash them in hot water and thoroughly dry in the dryer.

Controlling dust indoors does take some effort and expense, it’s worth it in better indoor air quality. If you’d like more information about air filters, contact C.R. Wolfe Heating & Air Conditioning, providing services for Middletown homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about controlling dust and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 845-367-4482.

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