The air quality inside a home is an essential part of the quality of life for everyone living there. It degrades rapidly when it comes into contact with certain airborne pollutants, including synthetic fibers and pesticides. These contaminants can easily be found in everyday household items such as carpeting, carpets, mattresses, upholstery, curtains, and many more. Suppose you want to improve the quality of your indoor air. In that case, you have to find ways to control what’s coming in by keeping things clean and changing your habits concerning these items so they don’t contribute anything unwanted to the home environment.
1. Check your HVAC filters
The air quality of a home is susceptible to the kind of filter installed in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. HVAC filters play a considerable role in controlling particulate matter, dust, and other contaminants that can accumulate indoors. Therefore, it is essential to test your HVAC filter’s effectiveness regularly to find out whether it needs to be replaced or cleaned. HVAC Maintenance experts recommend inspecting HVAC filters every two weeks to a month, depending on the contamination. It is also a good idea to replace your filters every two months, regardless of how much it looks like they’ve been used.
2. Check your air ducts
Air ducts are typically the source of air in our homes, and they are the portals through which you can introduce contaminants such as dust, pollen, and mold into various rooms. You can prevent indoor air contamination by keeping their condition up to date. HVAC Services in Tallahassee recommend that you have your air ducts cleaned regularly, preferably by a professional. It can help prevent indoor air quality from deteriorating. Indoor air quality professionals can examine the condition of your air ducts, make any necessary repairs, and install a programmable thermostat that can regulate the temperature in individual rooms.
3. Change your furnace filter
Furnace filters are essential in preventing indoor air impurities from entering your home through your HVAC system. More people tend to forget about changing A/C Filter than all the other types of filters in their homes, but lack of attention could be causing severe problems for those who don’t replace them regularly. Research has shown that ignoring the need to change a furnace filter regularly will expose you and your family to particles, allergens, and microbial substances that can harm our health and well-being. The American Lung Association recommends that furnace filters be changed every six months to a year, depending on how often you use them.
4. Keep your carpets clean
Keeping your carpets clean is essential for aesthetic reasons and how they affect indoor air quality. Frequent vacuuming goes a long way in keeping your carpets clean. Most of the time, it’s best to use a vacuum with an automatic cord rewind, as a regular vacuum does not have enough suction power to pull dust and dirt particles deep into the carpet. The same goes for furniture, curtains, and upholstery. Indoor air quality professionals recommend using plastic covers or enclosed trailers whenever these items are cleaned by machines such as vacuum cleaners or carpet shampoos. Tony Kelly, HVAC services in Tallahassee, recommends cleaning upholstery and dusting corduroy and velvet carpets more often since they attract more dirt, fine particles, and other airborne contaminants.
5. Monitor the level Of humidity
The level and type of humidity in the air can significantly impact how well your HVAC system can work, as well as the quality of air coming into your home. Different levels of humidity affect other rooms differently. By taking note of these factors, you will be able to control the distribution of contaminants and ensure that your bedroom, for instance, has a constant level of moisture that promotes better sleep and reduces allergy symptoms. Leave a humidifier running 24/7 if you need to increase or decrease humidity at any time. It will help maintain the humidity level in your home at the most comfortable point for you and your family.
6. Buy indoor plants to improve air quality.
Plants can help improve air quality by absorbing airborne contaminants such as particulates, dust, and other allergens. According to the EPA, there are numerous types of plants that can have a positive effect on the air quality in your home or office. Some of the best indoor plants for air quality can absorb gasses like carbon dioxide, which can otherwise contribute to the harmful buildup of indoor pollutants, including carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. HVAC Maintenance experts recommend using houseplants every time you go on vacation and keeping them indoors for a week, so they retain some of their beneficial properties.
7. Use cooking vents
It would be best if you did not use cooking vents and open windows simultaneously. If you have a fire in the house, exhaust fans will push smoke back into the building, and open windows will allow it to spread even more widely. Use cooking vents instead of open windows and doors to avoid unnecessary exposure to smoke and carbon monoxide, which can also enter your home through exhaust fans. The quality of indoor air is always essential and should not be taken lightly, especially in households where one or more members are predisposed to breathing difficulties. Please take note of these tips on how you can improve it.
Contact your local HVAC Specialist and learn your options
Indoor air quality problems are common in many households, and you must know how to improve the quality of the air you breathe. As you can see, there are quite a few things that you can do on your own without having to spend too much money by hiring an indoor air professional. Tony Kelly, HVAC services in Tallahassee, has had a long experience in the HVAC industry and can help you improve indoor air quality. We take pride in our knowledge and are always there to answer your questions regarding indoor air quality. Contact Tony Kelly to set up an annual HVAC maintenance.
