When it comes to indoor air quality, we are sure you would go above and beyond to keep your family safe and breathe the best air possible. The following are some simple solutions that will bring more fresh air into your home, improve indoor quality, and lessen those pesky household contaminants.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states, “In the last several years, the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.”
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Bring nature indoors for clean air.
The advantages of houseplants can’t be overstated. Houseplants clean the air. They breathe and take in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. People and animals take in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Bringing plants into your home creates a symbiotic relationship, filters the air, creates fresh oxygen, and beautifies your home.
Red-edged Dracaena, bamboo plant, snake plant, rubber tree, English Ivy, and aloe plant are some excellent houseplants that you may want to consider.
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Crack the windows and keep the floors clean
Your home, especially if it is newer, does not breathe well. It re-circulates the same air, over and over. This can be a real problem for indoor air quality. By cracking the windows, you are letting fresh air into your home. By keeping the floors clean, mopping, vacuuming, and utilizing doormats, you eliminate particles that will eventually end up in the air.
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Turn your furnace blower on
One of the best indoor air quality tips to keep your air quality at optimum levels is turning the furnace blower on. This re-circulates the air, in rooms, through the intake and back out of the supply ducts of the house.
In addition, ensure that the furnace has a filter system with UV lights. They kill microbial bacteria and mold spores. A furnace with a UV light filtration system cleans the air as much as 90% better, dramatically increasing indoor air quality.
Make sure the furnace has been serviced. If the furnace is not working up to par, it will not clean the air as well. It can even cause more maintenance issues or even stop working all in all. It is necessary to keep the furnace serviced regularly. Contact the furnace service provider – Rod’s Cooling & Heating – for the best maintenance program for your unit.
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Change the air filters as per the manufacturer’s recommendations
The air filter in the HVAC system is the front line of defense against poor indoor air quality. A typical central heating and cooling system circulate over 1,000 cubic feet per minute of air through the filter. This means the entire air volume in the house passes through the filter multiple times every day.
A clean filter eliminates airborne particulates, ranging from dust to invisible microscopic particles. However, a dirty filter can worsen indoor air quality by acting as a reservoir for dirt, dust, and other airborne contaminants continuously circulated back into your breathing air.
During both the heating and cooling season, change the air filter monthly. In place of cheap, throwaway fiberglass panel filters, choose quality pleated fabric filters rated to trap airborne particles down to three microns.
The air handler must work harder to compensate for the airflow blockage when the air filter is clogged. In addition to driving up your utility bill, the reduced airflow through your heating and cooling system can cause the heat exchanger to overheat and shut off too quickly.
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Keep the ventilation system clean.
Replacing stale indoor air is another option for homeowners asking how to improve indoor air quality. Simply opening doors and windows is not a viable option in frigid winter weather or the heat of summer.
The goal of proper ventilation is balance. Get rid of stagnant, unhealthy air and replace it with an equal amount of fresh, filtered outdoor air to dilute indoor contaminants and restore healthy air quality. HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilators) are now the gold standard for residential ventilation.
Utilizing small-diameter dedicated ductwork connected to a central controller, an HRV removes stale air from the kitchen, bathrooms, and utility rooms while adding a precisely equal volume of fresh outdoor air to bedrooms and other living spaces. Inside the controller, a heat exchange core helps preserve indoor temperatures by pre-warming incoming fresh air in winter and cooling it in summer.
Not enough ventilation or poor upkeep of your ventilation system can cause or contribute to the development of infections, lung cancer, and chronic lung disease such as asthma.
In previous decades, older homes had their source of ventilation. They were “leaky.” Homes came with little or no insulation in the walls, so fresh air could easily enter through gaps, cracks, and holes in the building.
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Reduce humidity and mold using dehumidifiers and exhaust fans
Humidity accumulates in tightly-sealed residential environments because of activities such as bathing, cooking, and simply breathing. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends between 30% and 60% indoor humidity levels. High indoor humidity creates a breeding ground for toxic mold and bacteria.
High humidity will make your home IAQ take a considerable effort to maintain. Using a dehumidifier will help you manage the quality of your air which can trigger health issues in your home. The optimum humidity level in your home depends on your personal preferences, clothing, and level of physical activity.
Have your home checked by a certified HVAC technician
If you are concerned regarding the air quality in your home or office, you may want to have an air quality test performed. An indoor air quality test carried out by a trained professional at Rod’s Cooling & Heating can help you figure out what sort of airborne issues you might be having and what you need to do to fix them.
To ensure your home’s indoor air quality is perfect for you and your family, book an appointment with the HVAC specialists in Wichita, KS, at Rod’s Cooling & Heating. Call us at 316 776 4088 today!
