As the weather gets cooler and we start spending more time indoors, it’s important that we pay attention and take measures to improve air quality at home. Especially since cold weather can make problems even worse for people with sensitive breathing issues! Even if you have problems in your HVAC system, it can be hard to detect since so many issues with air quality are odorless. That’s why it’s so important to do everything you can to improve air quality before issues arise.
Improving your air quality is much easier than replacing your entire HVAC system. In fact, you can incorporate these easy steps and habits into your life to improve your indoor air quality! Here are 10 ways to improve air quality inside your home:
- Deep Clean. Start fresh by deep cleaning your entire home. This will rid the house of dirt, dust, and other debris that may have collected and penetrated the rest of the air in your home. Vacuum your carpets, rugs, and even your mattresses, couches, and other upholstered furniture. And be sure to shake out your curtains, drapes, and blinds; these heavier materials can collect and hold on to a lot of excess dust and other allergens. Try to remember to regularly clean these out.
- Control Humidity and Temperature. Keep your temperature and humidity in check! Mold and mildew love warm, dark, and damp environments, and if you don’t control your humidity and temperature inside, you’re creating a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Invest in a dehumidifier and keep it between 30-50%, and seal doors and windows to keep moisture from getting in..
- Fresh Air. Sometimes the best way to get rid of air pollutants is by replacing the air with fresh air! Open up your windows, screen doors, and porch doors and let the fresh air in. This will remove pollutants and circulate new, clean air into your home. This can be particularly helpful in bathrooms and kitchens, where mold, mildew, oil, and other bacteria can pollute your air.
- Air Filters. Make sure that you regularly change out your air filters to rid them of any dust and other allergens that may have collected while they were filtering out your air! The longer you keep them there, the more likely it is that they will go right back into your air. Regularly changing your air filters will not only improve the air quality but will also maintain the condition of your HVAC system as a whole.
- Air Ducts. While you’re changing your air filters, consider getting your air ducts cleaned out. It’s extremely likely that hair, dust, dead skin, and dander has collected in your ducts, and is now being circulated throughout the air. If you can, try to have your air ducts cleaned out every few years to prevent too many dust bunnies from forming.
- Cooking Vents. Many of the pollutants in your air are coming from your kitchen: think of the amount of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide that’s being released every time you use a gas stove! Use cooking vents or open a window in your kitchen to help circulate these pollutants out of your home, and let clean, filtered air in.
- Indoor Plants. Consider adding a few indoor plants into your home, since they can help pull pollutants out of the air. Remember, plants are nature’s natural air filters! Try adding ferns, lilies, or even large palm trees to your home as they are particularly great as a natural air filter.
- Outdoor Pollutants. Do your best at keeping outdoor pollutants outside by sealing cracks and any other open spaces that may let pollen and other allergens inside your home. You can seal doors with solutions sold at hardware or home stores, and consider sealing gaps in your windows.
- Smoking. Don’t smoke inside! Chemicals from cigarettes are terrible for your health, but can also pollute the air and affect others through secondhand smoke. Smoke outside, or better yet, quit smoking!
- Natural Cleaners. Be careful of the cleaning solutions you use in your home! Though they are deep cleaning your home, these solutions can be full of harmful chemicals. This is particularly true of heavily scented and fragranced products. Switch to natural alternatives when possible to eliminate this issue.
Air Rescue is here to help get your air quality in check for the autumn and winter. We’ve provided heating, ventilation, A/C repair, or installation needs for residential and commercial customers in the greater Tampa Bay area since 1946. We pride ourselves on our reliable service, excellent customer service, and affordable pricing. That’s why residents and businesses always choose Air Rescue! Visit our website to learn more or give us a call at 813-358-3431 to get started.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/lung/features/12-ways-to-improve-indoor-air-quality
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/easy-ways-you-can-improve-indoor-air-quality
https://www.petro.com/resource-center/improve-indoor-air-quality
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/improving-indoor-air-quality
https://www.breedlovedobbs.com/5-easy-ways-to-improve-home-air-quality/
https://www.dyson.com/knowledge/air-quality/5-ways-to-improve-indoor-air-quality