The value of having energy efficient siding installed in your home is well documented. Not only can these upgrades lower your energy usage and save you a lot of money in the long term, they also improve your home’s design and aesthetics. This can increase the value of your home.
But that’s not all that new siding has to offer.
California struggles with consistent air quality throughout the year. Between forest fires, pollution, and other factors, making sure your home’s air filters are consistently clean is a common concern for homeowners in the Greater Sacramento area. That is why it may surprise you to learn that new siding on your home can also improve the indoor air quality of your house. While it probably isn’t going to be your primary concern when installing new siding, it is something you should take into consideration.
How Does New Siding Keep Indoor Air Clean?
High quality siding does more than just save you money on your energy bill, it also has numerous quality-of-life improvements for your home. Specifically, when it comes to your indoor air quality, there are several ways that new siding is able to improve the living conditions of your house, especially in California. When you’re considering new siding for your home, these are some of the great advantages to keep in mind:
- They Prevent California Fires from Leaking In – It is far more common for older siding on your home to develop air leaks. The seal may develop issues due to natural wear and tear, or pests and accidents may cause physical damage to your siding, compromising your air quality. While this is an issue anywhere in the world, places like Orangevale, Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Roseville, or the Greater Sacramento area will have to contend with fire season and are at risk for smoke throughout much of the year. Smoke can still find its way into your home through any windows or seals that need to be replaced, but for the most part new siding will be able to lock down your home and keeps the air quality clean.
- They Limit the Buildup of Moisture – It is expected that older siding will develop issues like mold and mildew over time. This is due to moisture been allowed to build up from inclement weather like flash storms or a particularly rainy season. While much of this moisture can be cleaned out, it is often a better idea to replace your siding and quickly address these issues. Mold and mildew can negatively affect the air quality of your home if they are allowed to persist, and replacing your siding is a great way to remove outdoor and indoor mold spores that have been allowed to grow on your property.
- They Allow for Less HVAC Usage – While this improvement touches upon the energy efficiency of new siding, replacing the old siding on your home can also take the pressure off of your HVAC system. While newer heating and air conditioning units are able to clean the air while they heat or cool your home, most units will simply move the dust and bacteria around your home rather than remove them from the air. Your furnace or air conditioning will still need regular maintenance to keep the air quality from getting worse, but new siding allows you to give them a rest more often. This is because the energy efficiency that new siding offers will allow you to not run your HVAC system as often as you have been. Your house will stay cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter because your home is better insulated, not because you’ve been running your HVAC all day.
None of these features are meant to replace regular cleaning and maintenance, but they will make it easier for you to keep your home’s air clean longer. You should still be cleaning or changing the filters of your HVAC every 1-3 months, as well as checking your siding for damage regularly.
Does Your Home Need New Siding?
The air quality inside your home is incredibly important. We can only be as comfortable as the air we breathe, so any upgrade that can improve your indoor air quality is going to be worth it in the long run. That is not to say that getting new siding for your house will always be about the air quality. The main reasons for getting new siding are often more concerned with energy efficiency and property image than they are with the interior of the home. But when you’re ready to get new siding installed, every quality improvement counts.