December 4, 2013
Improving Air Quality with Alternative Heating
HVAC systems, also known as mechanical or forced air systems, are a common way to heat your home. In this type of system, a central heating unit warms the air which is then distributed throughout the home via ductwork and vents.
It is generally used as the primary heat source, whereas devices such as heated flooring become a secondary source used to add comfort to a room.
We’ve discussed some of the advantages of heated flooring as a primary heat source in some other articles. The most popular of these involve:
- An even distribution of heat in the room
- The ability to radiate heat from certain flooring surfaces even after the system is turned off
- The ability to warm a single bedroom rather than the entire house at night.
The topic we haven’t discussed yet though is air quality.
The network of ducts in your home should be regularly cleaned, but most people overlook this. Aside from the normal dust and debris that builds up within them, there are a number of other things that can blow into your rooms after accumulating within your ductwork. This could include particles from rodent droppings, or even mold.
If you are using an infloor heating system in conjunction with an HVAC, it shouldn’t take the place of a regular duct cleaning. It may however be a safer option in delicate places where air quality could be a concern so as a child’s room or nursery.
