New parents have a whole new set of worries when it comes to bringing their newborn home. Indoor air quality shouldn’t be one of them. Proper HVAC preventive maintenance keeps your home’s indoor air clean and healthy for everyone, including a newborn. Before your newborn makes his or her appearance into your lives, call Douglas Cooling & Heating to have your system inspected and maintained by a trusted professional.
Clean Filters Are Key
Clean filters keep your indoor air quality high and allow your heating and cooling system to perform without straining. During HVAC preventive maintenance, a professional will inspect your filter and replace it during the service call. In between your scheduled maintenance, you should clean or change your filter once every 3-6 months. The filter traps and eliminates dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold every day.
When the filter becomes clogged, your HVAC system circulates contaminated air back into your home. A clogged filter forces your system to work harder because the airflow is weakened in your system. If your filter goes too long without being cleaned or changed, you will need an HVAC repair for your heating and cooling unit. HVAC preventive maintenance is the best option for keeping your newborn healthy and increasing indoor air quality.
Check Your Thermostat Settings
Newborns can’t regulate their internal temperatures as well as adults and older kids. Thermostat settings play a significant role in keeping your baby comfortable every season. A baby is healthy and happy when he or she is warm so adjusting your thermostat settings higher during the summer is recommended. Consider setting your thermostat between 76 and 78 degrees when you are home. When you are away, adjust the thermostat setting back a few degrees. Your thermostat during winter weather should be set between the high 60s and low 70s to keep your newborn cozy and warm.
If you only have a manual thermostat, consider installing a programmable or smart thermostat in your home. You can program settings into either type of thermostat for when you are home, away, or asleep. You can rest easier knowing your heating and cooling system is on a schedule from your thermostat, saving you energy while maintaining indoor comfort. For more information on which thermostat is best for your home, contact Douglas Cooling & Heating and speak to one of our professionals. A programmable/smart thermostat also reduces HVAC repairs in the future because your system isn’t continuously running.
Keep Humidity Levels Right
A new baby is significantly affected by humidity in a home. Southern temperatures during the hot months present high humidity levels on a daily basis. Most air conditioners can handle and maintain a comfortable humidity level, but if moisture levels are still too high, a whole-home dehumidifier may be warranted.
What about the winter? Your heating system tends to dry your home’s air out once colder temperatures hit. Dry air can affect newborns more than others in your home since they are so small and have weaker immune systems. Newborns may suffer from stuffy noses and cracked skin in a dry home. Viruses can live and thrive in a sterile environment, so your newborn will be exposed to germs, even more, when your humidity levels are low. If your home gets extremely dry during the winter, invest in a whole-home humidifier from Douglas Cooling & Heating. We offer installation, so the whole-home humidifier works with your current HVAC system.
Increase Ventilation
Since newborns cannot regulate their body temperatures, they don’t sweat like older kids and adults. They become overheated quickly in hot, stuffy rooms. Schedule an HVAC repair to have your home’s ventilation checked before your baby comes home. A professional can boost your ventilation in your home to keep every room in your house comfortable.
Play it safe with your newborn and schedule HVAC preventive maintenance to improve your indoor air quality and the performance of your heating and cooling system. Douglas Cooling & Heating wants your baby and your family to be healthy in any season. Call us today for experienced and trusted HVAC service.
