Learning how to improve air quality in your home is a worthwhile venture — indoor air quality plays a big role in the health of both your family and home. Indoor air can hold far more pollutants than outdoor air, especially if you’re not doing anything to help improve your air quality.
When we live, breathe, work, and cook in our homes, we’re constantly emitting gasses, chemicals, and other pollutants into the air. Even normal household tasks like cleaning or bathing can add to our home’s air pollution. If we don’t take any steps to counteract these pollutants, then our homes can end up with inferior air quality.
To help our customers better enjoy and take care of their homes, John C. Flood has put together a guide to help you understand how to improve air quality in your home. Read on to learn all the steps you can be taking to improve air quality and keep your home comfortable.
Why Is Improving Air Quality Important?
Your air quality is a valuable, foundational piece of having a comfortable home. Most people spend a large portion of their life inside — if you have poor air quality, then all your time spent indoors involves breathing in contaminants that are both uncomfortable and unhealthy for your body. Bad air quality means increased sources of allergens and asthma irritants.
By learning how to improve air quality, you can ensure you and your family has a safe, comfortable home.
4 Ways How to Improve Air Quality in Home
1. Implement a Dehumidifier and Humidifier
Ideally, your home’s humidity level should be somewhere between 30-50 % to help you stay comfortable all year round. If you’re outside these percentages, you can run into some air quality issues.
One of the best ways to improve air quality is to install a dehumidifier and/or a humidifier in your home. These helpful pieces of machinery can make a world of difference when you’re learning how to improve air quality in your home.
Typically, if you live in a moist environment and you need fresher air in your home, a dehumidifier is ideal. They can also be exceptionally helpful in humid areas of your home like basements.
If you’re dealing with out-of-control humidity levels, this can quickly lead to mold and mildew issues. A dehumidifier will help keep your air pure from these pollutants.
Alternatively, if you’re living in a very dry environment and tend to wake up in the morning with a sore throat, a humidifier can make a world of difference. By adding more moisture to the air in dry climates or seasons, you can guarantee a more comfortable home.
2. Keep Your Ducts Clean
When was the last time your ducts and vents were cleaned? If it’s been a while, you might want to schedule some maintenance. Without proper duct cleaning, various pollutants can blow throughout your entire home, circulating endlessly.
The best course of action is to schedule regular duct cleaning to ensure that the air your HVAC unit is sending can get through your ductwork without collecting pollutants. An HVAC technician will clear away all dust, mold, and other debris in your ductwork during a cleaning service. You’ll find it easier to breathe in no time.
3. Replace Your Air Filter
This is the best thing you can do as a homeowner if you’re looking to:
● Prolong the life of your HVAC unit
● Save on utility bills
● Reduce necessary HVAC repairs and maintenance
● And improve your home air quality
Your air filters trap particles and other airborne contaminants. They catch dust, dirt, and debris to keep them from floating around your home or infiltrating your HVAC unit. However, if an air filter is ignored too long and becomes overloaded, it cannot perform as designed. A dirty air filter can cause issues with your HVAC and your air quality.
Regularly change your air filters to keep your HVAC unit in the best shape and your air quality comfortable. Plus, you save on utility bills since your HVAC unit will be able to run more efficiently and you’ll get better airflow.
4. Only Use Safe Cleaners and Products
If you’re facing some air quality issues or simply looking for ways to improve your air quality, look into the products you use in and around your home. A lot of household cleaners or home
improvement products can be highly toxic. While in some cases it can be acceptable to use these items in moderation, an air filter can only help you out so much.
Here are common homeowner cleaners and products to watch out for if you’re hoping to improve your air quality:
● Air fresheners (including diffusers)
● Candles
● Bleach and other cleaners
● Weed killers
● Pesticides and pest deterrents
● Paint
● Laundry detergent
● Fabric softener
● Shampoos and conditioners
● Hairspray
● Dry shampoo
● And more
Before using a product, you should always check to see if it’s toxic or toxin-free. Being able to successfully improve your air quality depends on your ability to make smart choices for your home. As much as possible, opt for clean, toxin-free products for all your home chores and projects.
Improve Your Home’s Air Quality Today
John C. Flood can help with all of your HVAC maintenance and repairs, and we can help you settle on the best appliances for your home. We’re here to help all our customers live comfortably while protecting the health of their HVAC system — and the health of their finances, too!
Reach out today to learn more about our services or schedule an inspection.
