As a homeowner, you have plenty on your plate: from lawn maintenance to keeping the house clean and organized. But did you know that one of the most important spaces in your home might not be getting the attention it deserves?
The air inside our homes can quickly become polluted with allergens and contaminants, reducing the quality of life for everyone living in our homes.
Luckily, there are several steps you can take to improve indoor air quality and help keep your family safe.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some practical tips to make sure your home is full of healthy air – so read on to get started!
Click the following link to get in contact with a heating and air conditioning company that can help you improve the air quality inside your home.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Improving indoor air quality in your space should always be your top priority. Additionally, good physical health helps with mental health. However, getting fresh air might not always be possible due to the weather. Therefore, here are some ways in which you can easily improve your indoor air quality.
1) Open Your Windows and Let in Some Fresh Air
With pollen and other harmful particulates filling up the air outdoors, it can be difficult to open the windows and let in the fresh air.
Image Source: airassurance.com
But it’s certainly worth doing: having some background ventilation is the simplest way to improve indoor air quality, as stagnant air accumulates dust particles much faster than circulating air. Utilizing a few household tricks, like alternating your HVAC fan setting and purchasing a HEPA filter, are also great ways to clean things up even further.
Start by opening your windows every morning, and with just a few minutes of fresh-air exchange, you can drastically improve the quality of life inside your home or office.
2) Get Some Indoor Plants to Help Improve Air Quality and Add Some Life to Your Home
Don’t just settle for a mundane living space – get some indoor plants!
Not only do indoor house plants have the power to instantly liven up any room, but they also improve the air quality in your home by producing oxygen and filtering out various toxins from the environment. There’s never been a better time to try your hand at gardening, either – there are plenty of helpful online resources, like watering schedules and abundant varieties of plants suitable for all kinds of conditions.
Image Source: allure.com
Plus, tending to a few indoor plants is a rewarding activity that will keep you engaged throughout the week! So if you’re ready to breathe new life into your home without having to spend much effort or money, why not add a little flora? Some of the indoor plants you could consider are the snow queen pothos, American Plant Exchange Spider Plant, Golden pothos, and American Plant Exchange Bird’s Nest Fern.
3) Vacuum and Dust Regularly to Get Rid of Allergens
Keeping your house clean and free of dust can have a number of important health benefits, including improved air quality. It is essential to vacuum and dust on a regular basis, especially if there are pets or young children in the home.
Image Source: housebeautiful.com
Vacuuming helps remove dirt particles that contribute to poor air quality and also can minimize the presence of common allergy triggers like pet dander and dust mites. Plus, using the right vacuum bag can help capture more debris in each pass, making it easier than ever before to get cleaner air around your house.
Furthermore, research has suggested that consistent vacuuming can help reduce asthma symptoms among members of the household – which shows just how helpful regular cleaning sessions could be for your family’s health.
4) Use a Dehumidifier to Reduce Moisture Levels in the Air
If you’ve been feeling particularly muggy and stuffy indoors, it could be because of high levels of moisture in the air. The solution? Consider investing in a dehumidifier with pump action. Not only is it an uncomplicated piece of technology to use, but it’s effective too. It works by sucking in the damp indoor air and completely removing the excess moisture from that atmosphere.
Image Source: healthline.com
As a result, your home or office will feel less humid and more comfortable for everyone residing inside. Additionally, it is safe to sleep with a dehumidifier on since it can run for 12 hours without requiring a restart.
Furthermore, a decrease in moisture levels can help stave off any potential mold growth too. That makes this purchase a great investment if you’re looking for better air quality without breaking the bank!
5) Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals or Aerosols That Can Pollute the Air
Prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals and aerosols can have a detrimental effect on both our health and the environment, so it is important to be conscious of the products we let into our home and work environments.
Image Source: thenewyorktimes.com
There are lots of natural alternatives available that are both air-friendly and budget-friendly – such as baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, and essential oils – that can be used in almost any cleaning task you can imagine.
Not only do these more eco-friendly options help keep your home clean without sacrificing the air quality, but also they help ensure that you’re not needlessly exposing yourself or your family to harsh chemicals with potentially damaging side effects.
Embracing an eco-friendly approach for your everyday cleaning routine grants peace of mind in knowing that you won’t be compromising the air quality in your space – or raining down pollutants into the neighborhood at large.
6) Install an Air Purifier to Remove Harmful Particles from the Air
If the air quality in your home leaves something to be desired, installing the best medical-grade air purifier can help reduce the number of contaminants and pollutants in the air, making it healthier for you and your family. Furthermore, if you have poor ventilation that can’t be improved by windows, then an air purifier is an excellent way to improve airflow.
Image Source: cnet.com
Many air purifiers contribute to an energy-efficient home and are economical to run and provide as many as five levels of filtration in a single unit. Whether you’re dealing with a dander dilemma, allergies, reducing stubborn odors, or looking for more particulate protection after indoor fires or renovations, an air purifier like Honeywell AirGenius 5 can help.
7) Keep Your Rugs and Carpets Clean
Good air quality doesn’t just come from leaving a window open. Your area rugs also matter. Rugs and carpets trap dust, hair, fibers, pet dander, and moisture, and that’s why it is important to keep them as clean and dry as possible. You can do this by addressing spills immediately since the longer they sit, the more the dampness sets in, and the harder they are to get out.
Image Source: bigredcarpetcleaners.com
Additionally, you should note that vacuuming your rugs gets rid of indoor air pollutants that you might not see with the naked eye. Vacuuming at least once a week goes a long way to improving indoor air quality in your house. Additionally, if you react to dust, you might have dust mites in your carpets. Luckily, they can be removed with a thorough steam cleaning.
Furthermore, you should also get your area rugs and carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year to improve the overall air quality in your house.
8) Use Cooking Vents
Cooking is common in many households, and not all houses have air conditioning systems. Therefore, cooking vents are an important feature to have in your kitchen. Remember that every time you stand over your stove, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and grease is released into your space, causing indoor air pollution.
Image Source: hgtv.com
Cooking fumes from gas stoves promote poor indoor air quality, and not to mention any smoke released will stick to the fabric on curtains and rugs. Usually, air fresheners might resolve the smell but not improve the air indoors. Therefore, cooking vents and modern hood ranges on gas stoves whisk away any odors and pollutants in your space and improve airflow and quality.
9) Change Your AC Filter
AC filters generally need to be changed every 30-45 days, depending on your allergies. If you don’t change your AC filter, outdoor air pollutants will enter your house. Dust, pollen, hair, and pet dander can clog the installed air conditioning in your living room and restrict airflow. Not to mention, you will receive higher utility bills.
Image Source: airmaster.com
Outdoor air pollution, like harmful chemicals and other airborne particles, will make its way into your house and can pose a health risk. Clogged AC filters in indoor spaces will cycle back volatile organic compounds into your house, then keep short cycling. The whole process is messy and not recommended.
10) Buy a Good Air Filter
Buying a portable air cleaner can be cost-effective in the long run, clean indoor air, and improve your health. Have you ever woken up with blocked sinuses and allergies? Those are tell-tale signs of poor indoor air quality. Therefore, an air filter is more dependable than a blocked AC filter.
Image Source: ushomefilter.com
Air filters do a great job of removing smaller particles and other health hazards from your space. They are also very handy for source control. Therefore, if you have a pet, any dander is immediately removed. Additionally, if you sometimes use natural ventilation, it is best to adjust the ventilation settings on your air filter to high immediately after, so the air filter can do its job.
Furthermore, a good alternative to normal air filters is Corsi-Rosenthal boxes. They are made like box fans, with a few filters glued together. They still work well to keep your space free of indoor air pollutants and come minus the hefty energy costs of a stalling air purifier. Not to mention you can construct one yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions on Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality
i) What are the 5 main factors that affect indoor air quality?
There are a few common factors that affect indoor air quality regardless of where you live. They are:
-
- Pet dander, urine, and feces
-
- Humidity
-
- Dust
-
- Chemicals
-
- Ventilation
ii) Can I purify the air in my house naturally?
Yes, you can. Apart from having house plants, you can also use beeswax candles, activated charcoal, and essential oils. Remember that not all house plants can purify the air in your space. Therefore, ensure to get one that does. Beeswax candles are good for preventing you from inhaling pathogens. They are also good for asthmatics.
iii) What is the best solution for poor indoor air quality?
Ventilation is one of the best solutions for poor indoor air quality. The next best thing would be air conditioning systems and portable air cleaners. Additionally, keeping your house clean could reduce the number of pollutants indoors.
iv) What symptoms allude to indoor air pollution?
The most common symptoms that homeowners get are sinus congestion, headaches, eye irritation, dry throat, sneezing, and nausea. Sometimes people with allergies might get a mild to severe allergic reaction due to an irritant in their environment.
v) Does a fan improve air quality?
Yes, fans improve air quality. By circulating the air in a room, fans reduce mildew and mold growth. Keep in mind that when you install a fan, ensure it is ducted toward the exterior of the house. Placing duct outlets into places like an attic will not solve the problem, but will recycle the pathogens back into the house.
vi) How can a dirty AC filter affect indoor air quality?
A clogged air filter will continue to spread dangerous pathogens throughout your house. It can also diminish your system’s airflow and make it work harder. Additionally, a dirty AC filter will spread extra dust into your house and will not do a good job protecting your HVAC system.
vii) What are the most common sources of indoor air pollution?
The most common sources of indoor air pollution emanate from everyday actions. Cooking on an open flame is one of the most common sources. Others include cleaning agents, dust, dander, and radon.
viii) Do plants help indoor air quality?
Yes, they do. Some species of plants like Chrysanthemum, money plant, Aloe Vera, and Gerbera Daisy filter out pollutants like carbon monoxide. However, remember that you will need many plants for it to work.
ix) Why is indoor air pollution worse than outdoor air pollution?
Indoor air is more densely concentrated compared to outdoor air. Additionally, outdoor air quality is 10 times better than its counterpart. Breathing in a house with densely packed contaminated air means you inhale more pollutants each time. Plus, the concentration of pollutants builds up from sources inside your home if they aren’t released outdoors.
x) Why is indoor air quality important?
Indoor air quality is important because short and long-term exposure can pose health risks. It is easy to contract recurring respiratory issues, cognitive problems, and more serious issues like heart disease and different types of cancers. Additionally, we tend to spend more time indoors and inhale more indoor air. This would put anyone at a higher risk of contracting diseases.
Conclusion
Improving your indoor air quality doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. By following the tips in this blog post, you can improve the quality of the air you and your family breathe every day.
If you need more help improving your indoor air quality, contact a professional HVAC company for more information.
