Do You Want to Improve your Indoor Air Quality? Read This

By:  Dan McKee

Do You Want to Improve your Indoor Air Quality? Read This.

It is important to ensure that the quality of your indoor air is uncompromised at all times, as it prevents the onset of symptoms, such as coughing, stuffiness, itchy eyes, sneezing as well as runny nose. Poor quality indoor air is particularly detrimental if you suffer from allergies, respiratory conditions or asthma. Thus, you will do well to ensure you constantly improve the quality of air in your home so that you can breathe easy.

Tips to improve indoor air quality

Here are some of the ways to improve the quality of your indoor, enjoy a fresher environment and breathe easy:

• Change your HVAC’s air filter regularly

The air filter is designed to help in keeping the quality of the air in your home clean, protecting your HVAC system from accumulation of dirt and potential damage. As such, the filter needs to be checked on a monthly basis whenever your HVAC maintenance is in use. A noticeably clogged or dirty filter must be replaced every three months. Generally, it is advisable that you go for a HEPA or electrostatic filter or opt for filters that have a higher MERV rating. Alternatively, you may install a new air cleaner.

• Avoid dust accumulation

Vacuuming your home at least once every week with a machine that has a HEPA filter is an excellent way of ensuring your house stays dust free. Other areas of the home like shelves, tables, wood trim and ceiling fans need to be dusted with electrostatic wipes of moist cloths. Throw rugs must be removed and taken outside at least once every month and dust beaten out of them. You will do well to declutter your house, store extra items including clothes in containers that are sealed and clean your bedding at least once every week.

• Seal up your duct work

Leaking ducts will increase the entry of debris and dirt into your home. This is in addition to lowering your energy efficiency. Thus, consider cleaning the components of this air system to keep contaminants from circulating in your indoor air. Ensure, all leaking ducts are sealed.

• UV germicidal light system

UV germicidal light systems (also known as UV Air Purifiers) are low maintenance devices hence are installed within the air and heating system’s ductwork. These systems utilize UV light to kill biological contaminants like bacteria, mold and viruses that escape from the conventional air cleaning system or furnace’s filter. Thus, using these systems go a long way in purifying your indoor air.

• Keep humidity at healthy levels

Many microorganisms, including dust mites, like high humidity; therefore, when you keep humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent, you will significantly improve the quality of your indoor air. In addition, ensure your HVAC system is inspected and well maintained on a regular basis, preferably twice a year to ensure that it is not only running well but also dehumidifying properly. Additionally, make use of ventilation fans in the kitchen and bathroom especially when cooking or bathing to avoid introducing additional moisture in the air.

• High performance whole house air purifiers and cleaners

Using high performance whole house air purifiers and cleaners will work with the HVAC system to eliminate 99% of the pollutants in indoor air, improving indoor air quality and increasing the longevity and functionality of your HVAC system. The use of air cleaners and purifiers is particularly beneficial for homes that have pets, experience heavy accumulation of dust, have family members with asthma or allergies, or are close to a dirt road or construction site.

Things to do to improve your indoor air your own way

There are numerous other ways of improving the quality of your indoor air that are less complex. They include the following simple changes in routine as well as DIY practices:

• Avoid smoking while indoors
• Add indoor plants into your indoor environment for enhanced air purification
• Leave your windows open for natural ventilation whenever possible
• Be sure to clean your towels, sheets, pillow covers as well as blankets in hot water weekly while ensuring they dry thoroughly.
• Have a schedule for vacuuming and dusting your home either bi-weekly or weekly.