So far, you’ve made a commitment to eat better and are working to switch to an entirely plant-based diet, but there’s still something missing. That something could very well have to do with your furnace and air conditioner. Though it might not seem like something that has much impact on food preparation, your HVAC system could be potentially damaging to your vegan foods. Since food is expensive, it’s smart to do everything you can to protect it, and that could mean fixing your HVAC unit. Keep an eye on these three following factors and see if you don’t need to make some adjustments before cooking your next meal.
1. Vents Blow Out Dust
Call on professional HVAC service technicians if you ever see wisps of dust spiraling out of your vents. There’s a good chance that you need the system cleaned out and your filter replaced. Dirt or grime can have a serious negative impact on food preparation. Vegan foods in particular tend to be more delicate than most others, so even a slight amount of dirt can ruin them. Regular service also helps to ensure that your HVAC system will last as long as possible. Getting it checked out today could mean that you don’t have to invest in any replacement parts tomorrow, which means you’ll have more money to put toward your various nutritional experiments.
2. It’s Letting In Too Much Humidity
Take a look at a piece of non-dairy vegan cheese, and you’re likely to see small droplets of sweat form on it. Plant-based oils are extremely sensitive to humidity, which is why you need to be certain that your HVAC unit is capable of handling everything you throw at it. Food standards organizations have actually set specific requirements for HVAC systems used in institutional settings and restaurants. If you’re just a home chef, then you don’t have to look these over, but it’s still a good idea to check your AC unit or humidistat to make sure that you’re not turning your house into a simulated tropical environment.
3. Your Food Gets Dried Out
Vegan foods don’t like to be exposed to too much humidity, but not getting enough could be just as bad. Your kitchen refrigerator puts out quite a bit of heat, which your AC unit has to make up for. If it’s running too frequently, then you could be removing most of the water from the air in your home. Certain pieces of fruit will begin to shrivel up if they’re peeled in a dry environment. The same goes for many root vegetables. Homeowners who have a real problem with this may want to consider getting a whole-house humidifier unit.
In many cases, simply adjusting your thermostat up or down could go a long way toward improving the quality of your food, regardless of what features you currently have installed. You might even find that it helps to save some power, since a thermostat that’s set too low is going to end up forcing your AC unit to work harder than it should. Look for a healthy medium whenever you start to prepare healthier foods.
