Spring will officially be sprung this weekend! The Spring Equinox for our part of the world is this Sunday, March 20th at 10:33 a.m. And, if you're like a lot of people, you can't wait until the warm weather is here for good. Winter can be a dreary time, full of grey skies, freezing temperatures, and feeling cooped up inside all the time. When spring rolls around, you may want to throw open the windows and let all the fresh air and sunshine into the house. Goodbye, winter! But... Is that actually a good idea? As the best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks, Royal Heating & Air is here to help answer that question! Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of opening up your house this spring.
Breath of Fresh Air
Over the winter, your house stayed sealed up to keep out the cold. You wouldn't dream of leaving the windows open when it's below freezing outside! But, even though that helped keep your house warm, it also kept the air pretty stale. Indoor air quality can be a huge concern for your overall health and wellbeing. If you're breathing stagnant, recycled air, you are also likely breathing in bacteria, dust, and contaminants that got picked up from your air ducts or from other surfaces in your house.
Opening up the windows and getting fresh airflow into the house can be a literal breath of fresh air. Fresh, clean air from outside can help get rid of stuffy smells and increase the amount of oxygen in your home (plants give off oxygen, people breathe out carbon dioxide). Both of these benefits can help you breathe easier, experience less brain fog, and feel a boost in your mood.
On the other hand...
The fresh air you're letting into your home may also carry some unwanted materials like pollen, dirt, gravel dust, smoke, and others. If you're thinking about opening your house up for some fresh air, you may want to consider the environment outside first. Check the weather for the pollen count - Is it abnormally high, or relatively low? Step outside and take a deep breath - Is someone burning leaves nearby? Is there construction going on? How windy is it? If you take into account what the weather and surrounding conditions are, then you can make a more informed decision about whether or not it's a good idea to open the windows today.
An alternative way to keep the air in your home fresh and clean would be to install an HVAC Ultraviolet Light System in your ductwork. The UV light from these systems kills bacteria, viruses, mold, and other harmful materials so you can enjoy the best possible indoor air quality at home. Call Royal Heating & Air to learn more! 573-480-4313 (Plus, don't forget to change those filters!)
Save on Energy
Springtime is known for it's beauty and pleasant temperatures. Why not take advantage of that? When the weather is between a comfortable 65-72 degrees Fahrenheit, it might seem silly to have the air conditioner set on 71 or the heater set on 67. Your heat and air will be regularly turning on to maintain that exact temperature, when it's already right around that temperature outside. Instead, you can turn off the thermostat and just open up the house to enjoy some cool, fresh spring air! (Note: If there's not a breeze, you may want to turn on a small fan to get the air moving so you can make the most of the fresh air.)
On the other hand...
If you're turning the air conditioner (or heater) off and on repeatedly, then you could actually be wasting more energy as your system tries to get the house back to your specific desired temperature over and over. If you decide to open up the house, try to keep it open for most of the day and don't ask your HVAC system to try and catch up in the middle of the day when it's warmest. Make the choice and stick with it instead of opening and closing the windows multiple times throughout the day.
Best HVAC Company at the Lake
Spring is a wonderful season full of fresh air, new growth, and beauty. You can make the most of it by following the principles above and getting some fresh air moving through your house just in time for spring cleaning. Now is also the perfect time to have your air conditioning unit checked by a professional. Give Royal Heating & Air a call and we'll come out to make sure your system is working and ready to take on spring and summer this year.
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