Keeping the Dust down in Your St. George Home

St. George and Washington County have experienced rapid growth. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, St. George’s population has gone from 11,350 people in 1980 to 76,817 in 2013. And with other fast-growing communities such as Washington City, Ivins, Santa Clara, and Hurricane, Washington County now has nearly 150,000 residents. This population increases even more in the cooler time of year when snowbirds flock to Southern Utah and its more pleasant climate.

Last year, the Census Bureau named St. George the fifth fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country. All this growth has led to a lot of new construction and with the area’s arid, desert climate in some places a lot of dust.

While dust is annoying and no fun to clean, it is also a serious health issue for many people. Whether you have unrelenting allergies or simply want to keep those bothersome dust particles under control for aesthetic reasons, here are several ways to keep the dust down in your St. George home and have cleaner indoor air.

Air Purifier

Air purifiers clean the air in your home and eliminate those pesky dust particles. They can be mounted on almost every heating and air conditioning system and will greatly increase the comfort while cleaning the air you breathe every day.

Duct Cleaning

Many experts agree that duct cleaning has value in reducing allergies from dust and improving air quality. When ducts are cleaned, debris is removed from ducts, central air conditioners, furnaces, and all ventilation points. Not only will you have lower dust levels after a thorough duct cleaning, but it is very likely that you’ll achieve energy savings as well.

Seals/Insulation

A lot of the dust in the home is entering from the outside. Use caulk to seal any cracks around window frames and doors. Also, if dust has accumulated in the areas of the home that are insulated, such as the attic, this can slowly make its way into the living areas of the home. A proper inspection is the first step in detecting issues like this.

Ductless Unit

While we discussed having your ducts cleaned, there is an even better, more permanent solution. Ductless cooling and heating systems have been gaining in popularity, and one of their advantages in addition not needing a ducting system, is improved air quality.

Not only is the installation less intrusive on the home but the systems themselves allow you to breathe easier. Ductless systems have an advanced multi-stage air filtration system that reduces particles and contaminants like pollen, bacteria, and dust.

Regular Furnace Maintenance

Regular furnace maintenance and cleaning, including changing out the furnace filter, helps reduce dust flow and air quality in a home.

And of course, there’s good old house cleaning. Vacuuming carpet twice per week with a HEPA equipped vacuum cleaner and dusting is best. Also, be sure to clean or change out that filter in your vacuum frequently. But even if you clean regularly, dust can still pile up quickly if you haven’t taken other steps to help prevent it.

Take Steps Now For Clean Indoor Air

It’s never fun to learn that your home is making you sick. While St. George’s dry climate contributes to the amount of dust in the air, other factors include the large tracts of land cleared for development and the fact that much new construction St. George area homes have unfinished back yards without vegetation. This is particularly the case in areas like Washington Fields and Little Valley.

Dust may sound harmless but it’s really not. This material that is made up of such things as plant pollen, various fibers, dirt, and even dead skin cells can be a nightmare for allergy suffers and those with other respiratory issues. By taking the above steps to keep your indoor air clean, you can keep your home more enjoyable and healthier for the whole family.