5 Tips to Improve Your Tucson Home’s Air Quality This Summer

Pima County home?

Mold spores, VOCs, pollen, and Tucson dust may be a few of the most unwelcome visitors to your Arizona home this season.

These unwanted hangers-on can linger on surfaces, ride air currents, survive desert summer heat, and the monsoon season while riling up your allergies and triggering respiratory issues.

Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in Tucson, AZ

At Temperature Control, we’ve spent decades working with homeowners throughout Marana, Oro Valley, and other communities in Greater Tucson, matching solutions to the specific issues that compromise indoor air quality.

We are your local Tucson air cleaners, passionate about the air you breathe and committed to helping you keep it clean. We consider our technicians among the best at assessing indoor air quality and providing effective, affordable solutions to improve it.

In Greater Tucson, good indoor air quality (IAQ) isn’t difficult to achieve when you apply the appropriate product, service, or do-it-yourself solution. Here are five tips to help you get started:

#1. Upgrade to a MERV 13 Filter

Your air conditioner's filter plays a major role in trapping particles that can dirty your equipment and indoor air. However, standard fiberglass filters only protect your AC unit from large particles, while doing little to keep smaller particles out of the air you breathe.

To truly clean your air, forget standard filters and choose one that has a higher efficiency rating. Every filter has a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating that indicates its ability to trap particles of various sizes.

We recommend upgrading to a MERV 13 filter, which features tightly woven material that traps microscopic particles. A MERV 13 filter catches up to 90 percent of pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and even microscopic bacteria and wildfire smoke particles.

Before switching to a MERV 13, be sure your HVAC system can handle the upgrade. An incompatible filter can restrict airflow and strain the blower motor. Check your manufacturer’s manual for the MERV rating compatible with your HVAC unit.

#2. Invest in Tucson Duct Cleaning

Even with a high-quality filter, debris can collect in your ductwork over time. Dust, pollen, and construction dust settle inside, creating a buildup that can become the breeding ground for allergens. Every time your AC kicks on, it blasts some of these settled particles back into your living space.

Temperature Control has you covered. We use high-powered vacuums and other professional tools to remove accumulated contaminants from your ductwork, grilles, and registers, instantly reducing the particles circulating through your home. Schedule duct cleaning services today and discover the difference in your home’s IAQ.

#3. Prevent Air Leaks with Duct Sealing and Aeroseal

Clean ducts are only half the battle; they also need to be airtight. According to ENERGY STAR®, 20 to 30 percent of the air flowing through ductwork escapes through holes, cracks, and loose connections.

In Tucson, leaky ducts are often located in scorching hot attics or crawlspaces, meaning your system is actively sucking dusty, unconditioned attic air directly into your living area.

Our Temperature Control technicians use Aeroseal, a cutting-edge technology that seals your ventilation system from the inside out. This non-toxic sealant plugs every tiny crack and hole, preventing dirty air from entering your living space while significantly lowering your utility bills.

#4. Protect Indoor Air with IAQ Accessories and Ventilators

Standard filtration may not be enough to eliminate a wide range of contaminants. Whole-home IAQ accessories work alongside your air conditioner to eliminate pollutants and take air purity to the next level:

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Ultra-Violet (UV) Lamps: Installed inside your system near the evaporator coil, UV lights kill airborne bacteria, viruses, and mold spores before they can circulate.

Whole-Home Air Cleaners: These systems catch the ultra-fine particulate matter that evades standard filters.

Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs): A ventilator exhausts stale indoor air while drawing in fresh outdoor air, pre-cooling it so you get fresh oxygen without losing your air conditioning efficiency.

#5. DIY Steps to Control Pollutants at Their Source

The easiest way to clean your air is to stop pollutants from entering it in the first place. You can control sources right now by:

• Using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to clear out moisture and cooking fumes.

• Choosing low-VOC paints, cleaners, and furnishings.

• Vacuuming carpets weekly with a HEPA-filter vacuum.

• Keeping shoes at the door to avoid tracking desert dust inside.

Take Control of Your Indoor Air Today

Unsure where to start? Our team at Temperature Control can pinpoint exactly what is floating around in your home with a professional Tucson air quality testing assessment. We will analyze your home's humidity, particulate matter, and chemical levels to build a customized air purification plan for your family. Schedule an assessment or other IAQ service with Temperature Control today and breathe easier all summer! Call us at 520-815-5665 or request service online.