When someone says air pollution, you likely think about the air outside. However, your indoor air quality is actually more important than you think. It’s estimated that Americans spend 90% of their time indoors either in homes, schools, offices, gyms, etc. Poor indoor air quality can come with symptoms including headaches, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat irritation, and even dizziness. Now, you don’t need to panic. We’re going to talk about some of the most common air pollutants in your home and how to combat them and improve your air quality.
Here are Wichita Heating & Air’s top ten tips for improving your indoor air quality.
1. Remove obvious air pollutants from your home. These could include paint, cleaners, stains, or other chemicals. If you need to store these it’s best to store them in your garage and out of your main living area. Also, when you are using these items, make sure you have proper ventilation. If you’re painting don’t be afraid to open a window so the vapors from the paint don’t linger.
2. Speaking of windows, don’t be afraid to open them and let in some fresh air. Especially after cold months, or people being sick in the house opening the windows can really help improve air quality. Don’t be afraid to open the windows in the cold months. Even letting air in for just a few minutes can pull some of the pollutants out of your home.
3. Keep your carpets and rugs clean. These can trap dirt and other particles in their fibers and as you walk around your home you can kick them up and into the air. If you have pets, it’s extra important to keep your carpets and rugs clean.
4. Turn on the cooking vents. Even if you didn’t burn dinner, smoke, and steam from cooking can affect your air quality. Turning on the vents in your kitchen will help filter out harmful contaminants.
5. Use your bathroom exhaust fans. Having a hot and steamy shower can help wake you up in the morning, or relax you after a long day. However, this will remove stale humid air, and help pull moisture out of the room. If you don’t run your exhaust fan and let moisture sit on the walls and floor of your bathroom it could foster the growth of mold and mildew.
6. Change your air filters. Changing your filter regularly in your HVAC system is important for good indoor air quality. As your HVAC system circulates air throughout your home, the filters will trap dust and allergens. If you don’t change these filters regularly they will eventually stop doing their job which will not only affect your indoor air quality but also put a strain on your AC.
7. Don’t forget about all of the other filters in your home. Every few months it’s a good idea to check on the other filters in your home. Filters in your vacuum, clothes dryer, microwave, range hoods, and other filters help pull air pollutants out of your home.
8. Pay close attention to the humidity in your home. Having the ideal humidity level will help you have a healthy air environment. In the summer you will need less humidity and will probably want to use a dehumidifier, and when the air is dryer in the winter you’ll want to increase the humidity. You can buy a portable humidifier, or have an HVAC system installed with a humidifier built in.
9. Get house plants. Plants are nature’s natural air purifiers. They help filter pollutants that are inside your home. Plants like English Ivy, Peace Lily, Rubber Trees, Pothos, and others will help pull chemicals, carbon monoxide, and other harmful pollutants out of your indoor air.
10. Make sure your HVAC system is working properly. Your AC and furnace do so much more than just heat and cool your home. It helps circulate the air in your home and keep your home from getting stale. Having your system maintained twice a year will help ensure your home is on the path to good indoor air quality.
If you are looking for help improving your indoor air quality, our Trane Certified technicians are here to help. If you want to upgrade your HVAC system so you can control the humidity in your home, or if you need your system serviced call us today. We can help get you on the path to better indoor air quality.