When we think of pollutants, we typically think of outdoor pollution, but indoor air quality is just as crucial to our everyday lives. The quality of the air you breathe inside your home is critical for good health. As most of us are still spending a significant amount of time inside our homes, the air we’re breathing must be of the highest quality. Not only can indoor air pollutants cause headaches, eye irritation, and increase allergy symptoms, but serious pollutants can cause other long-term health issues.
Ways to Improve Air Quality Inside Your Home
If you’re looking to improve the air quality in your home but don’t know where to start, you can follow these seven steps to begin the process of incorporating healthier indoor air quality.
Check Your Air Ducts
Over time, the buildup of dust, dirt, and dander in your air ducts can reduce your home’s overall air quality. Air ducts distribute hot and cold air throughout your home, so if they are contaminated with dust, they will spread indoor air pollutants in each room of your home. Ensure you maintain your air ducts and clean them regularly to ensure fresh air is entering your home.
Clean Your Air Filters
While HVAC systems work all year round to give your home the perfect temperature, they are also filtering some of the common indoor air pollutants. This can cause the air filters to fill up, resulting in low air quality and potentially costly repairs down the line. Do yourself a favor and clean your air filters regularly to avoid any future problems.
Install a Whole-Home Air Purifier
If you or anyone you live with has severe allergies or asthma, installing a whole-home air purifier could benefit you. Whole-home air purifiers can boost the indoor air quality in your home and help alleviate common symptoms of allergy and asthma. A few benefits of whole-home air purifiers are healthier air, odor elimination, less dust buildup and prolonged HVAC system life.
Install a UV Air Sanitizer
UV air sanitizers are specially designed to eliminate the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. When a UV air sanitizing system is installed, it can intercept airborne threats as they spread through your home. If invisible threats like dust mites, mold and bacteria are eliminated from your home, your home’s overall air quality and cleanliness will increase.
Improve Kitchen Ventilation
If you are someone who spends a majority of your time in the kitchen, be mindful that it is a major source of indoor pollution. Gas stoves can release a high level of pollutants and electric stoves produce smoke that circulates through your home when you cook on them. You can improve kitchen ventilation by using your range hood fan, opening a window while you cook, and using a portable air purifier in your kitchen.
Clean Bathroom Exhaust Fans
While the responsibility of bathroom exhaust fans is to remove moisture and help prevent mold and mildew growth, they often become clogged with dust and can’t function at their full ability. Make it a routine a few times a year to remove the fan’s cover and clean out the dust and debris to keep it clean and unclogged. If you’re noticing your bathroom exhaust doesn’t clear moisture out your bathroom efficiently, it might be time to replace it with a higher performance model.
Regularly Clean Your House
Why invest in air purifying for your home if you aren’t taking the time to clean your space? Allergens like dirt, dust, and pet dander settle on your floors, carpets, and countertops, creating more indoor air quality problems. Make it a habit to regularly vacuum and mop your floors as well as using gentle cleaning products on your furniture and countertops. And if you aren’t ready to fully invest in air purifying systems for your home, keeping your space clean is a great way to start, and no real investment is required.
If you’re interested in air purification for your home, iAir Services is here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.