Are you seeing more allergy complaints and musty odors in your home? There may be several causes, but it’s likely that you’re dealing with significant indoor air pollution. By implementing these practical suggestions, you may enhance the quality of the air in your house and experience a cleaner, fresher environment.
Many of us believe that our homes are a secure sanctuary away from the perilous outer world. Did you know, however, that studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that the air inside the typical home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside? It’s critical that the air we breathe indoors is clean and safe because we spend around 89 percent of our time indoors.
7 Simple Steps to Better Indoor Air Quality
Making indoor air quality (IAQ) a priority is crucial for maintaining the quality of the air in your house. Fortunately, it’s easier than you might think to reduce air pollution and improve the quality of the air inside your home. Here are seven quick methods to get going.
1. Be an extreme cleaner
If you don’t enjoy cleaning (and don’t we all wish we did? ), regularly cleaning your home is a simple approach to enhance indoor air quality. You can lower allergies and irritants as well as overall air pollution by routinely dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and performing similar tasks. Don’t forget to take care of the window coverings, baseboards, and wall corners!
It’s also crucial to avoid undoing all of your effort by using chemical-laden cleaning supplies. Some of these cleansers may be part of the problem with the quality of indoor air. Instead, choose natural cleaning products, which are now thankfully far more readily available in your local food store than they were a few years ago. If you’re feeling crafty, this three-ingredient DIY natural all-purpose cleaner is affordable and efficient and is one of the top-rated all-natural cleaning products!
2. Purchase Doormats
The quantity of pet hair and other dirt and debris that people track in can be considerably reduced by something as easy as installing doormats at entryways. Doormats can be very helpful, especially because research indicates that footwear is to blame for 85% of the dirt and wetness that enters a home.
3. Add Houseplants to Your Residence
Did you know that some plants help clean up indoor pollutants? Not to mention that houseplants are simply lovely and uplift us every time we see them.
Researchers from NASA looked into how well houseplants could filter the air in the late 1980s. Numerous plants were discovered to be helpful at lowering the amount of indoor air pollutants, according to studies focusing on different plants’ capacity to remove harmful substances.
Asbestos, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, lead, nitrogen dioxide, pesticides, radon, and other dangerous pollutants can all be eliminated by the plants in the infographic to the right.
Even better, many of these plants can withstand droughts and need little to no care other than a modest watering once a week.
4. Regularly groom your furry friends
Although we all like our pets, they can regrettably carry allergens, dirt, and other material on their feet and in their fur. To prevent this, give your pets frequent baths and grooming sessions, and don’t forget to wash their bedding in warm water as well. If at all possible, it’s better to keep pets off of furniture, especially beds.
5. Regularly Change Your Air Filters
The cleanliness of the air in your home is greatly influenced by the air filter in your HVAC system, which is why changing your air conditioning filter on a regular basis is crucial. If the air filter is not replaced, dust and debris will build up and clog it. This not only puts additional strain on your air conditioner, but it also has the potential to obstruct airflow and essentially spread dust and dirt throughout your house. Make sure to replace your air filter once a month just to be safe.
One of the greatest ways to reduce air pollution is to use the air filters in your HVAC system. These tiny but effective screens can effectively capture allergens, bacteria, dust, filth, and other particles to keep your house clean and safe. If you don’t change them frequently, your home’s air pollution may increase and your system’s performance may decline. Invest in a high-quality filter and replace it frequently as directed by the manufacturer.
6. Purchase an air purifier or cleaner
An air cleaner or purifier is an excellent choice if you want to improve the quality of the air within your house and are willing to make a small financial commitment. There are several sizes of air cleaners and purifiers for both big and small dwellings.
7. The humidity in your home may be managed
Bacteria can flourish in environments with high moisture levels. Consistent humidity in your home may encourage the formation of mold and mildew, which releases toxic spores into the atmosphere. Install exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom and make frequent use of them. In your basement and any other area where moisture tends to build, use a dehumidifier. Immediately have your home inspected and treated if you notice any symptoms of development.
Contact Christensen Heating & Cooling to Schedule HVAC Maintenance
Your HVAC system is your home’s first line of defense when it comes to keeping the air clean and healthy. The air in your home will be well ventilated and free of allergies and nasties thanks to an effective air conditioning system, but there’s a catch. To do this, you must correctly maintain your HVAC system; otherwise, it won’t be able to effectively maintain clean, hygienic air in your home.
Call the experts at Christensen Heating & Cooling if you haven’t set up a maintenance appointment for your air conditioner this year. We provide high-quality maintenance services that are intended to keep your HVAC system operating effectively while also maintaining clean air.