Improving Your Indoor Air Quality During the Summer

When summer hits Central Pennsylvania, most homeowners focus on keeping cool, but there’s another comfort factor that’s just as important: the quality of the air you breathe inside your home.

In warmer months, indoor air quality (IAQ) challenges ramp up. From increased pollen to high humidity and airborne allergens, summer can have a major impact on how you feel in your home.

At Home Climates, we know that comfort isn’t just about temperature, it’s about creating a cleaner, healthier indoor environment for you and your family. In this article, we’ll tell you more about summer IAQ and how we can help you improve it. Keep reading to learn more!

Common Indoor Air Quality Challenges in the Summer

• Pollen and Allergens: Summer means blooming trees, grass, and flowers—and for many, that means allergy season in full swing. Even if you keep windows closed, allergens can make their way indoors on shoes, pets, and clothing, and recirculate through your HVAC system.
• Excess Humidity: Pennsylvania summers can be muggy, and too much indoor humidity can cause a sticky, uncomfortable feeling indoors and increased microbial growth, as dust mites and bacteria thrive in damp environments. Not to mention, high humidity doesn’t just affect comfort; it can also impact your health and damage your home.
• Poor Ventilation: To conserve energy, modern homes are built tighter than ever. While this improves efficiency, it also traps pollutants inside, from household cleaning chemicals to cooking odors and off-gassing materials found in items like carpet, paint, and building supplies.
• Stagnant Air: When your AC is running constantly, you might assume the air is being filtered… but standard systems don’t always remove fine particles, microbes, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). That can lead to a buildup of pollutants in your home.

Why IAQ Matters… Especially in Summer

Poor indoor air quality doesn’t just cause sneezing or discomfort. It can:

• Worsen asthma or allergy symptoms
• Contribute to fatigue, headaches, or poor sleep
• Encourage the growth of harmful microorganisms
• Make your home feel less comfortable—even when the AC is running

Whether you’re looking to breathe easier, reduce allergens, or improve your overall comfort, the right IAQ upgrades can make a noticeable difference.

5 Ways Home Climates Can Help Improve Your IAQ

We offer a variety of products and solutions designed to make your air as clean and healthy as possible, especially when it’s hot and humid outside.

1. Whole-Home Dehumidifiers: Tired of that sticky, heavy feeling in the air? A whole-home dehumidifier works with your HVAC system to keep humidity levels balanced, helping to reduce mold growth, allergens, and discomfort.
2. High-Efficiency Air Filtration Systems: Upgrade your filtration beyond the standard filter. HEPA and media filters can trap pollen, dust, pet dander, and other fine particles that trigger allergies and asthma.
3. UV Light Purifiers: Installed inside your HVAC system, ultraviolet (UV) lights can neutralize bacteria, mold spores, and viruses before they circulate through your home.
4. Air Purifiers and Cleaners: We offer advanced air cleaning systems that remove airborne contaminants, neutralize odors, and keep your air fresher all day long.
5. Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs): Want fresher air without compromising efficiency? An ERV brings in filtered outdoor air while managing temperature and humidity levels, helping ventilate your home properly, without wasting energy.

Breathe Easy This Summer with Home Climates

Home Climates is proud to serve Hershey and the surrounding areas with reliable HVAC and indoor air quality solutions. We’ll assess your home’s specific IAQ needs and recommend solutions that work for your space, lifestyle, and budget. Contact Home Climates today to schedule your IAQ consultation.