Indoor air quality refers to the quality of air in and around your home or office. Effects from poor indoor air quality can be immediate and usually short-term, and treatable. Long-term effects can appear either after years of exposure or repeated exposure periods and may include respiratory diseases, cancer, and heart disease. Knowing and controlling common indoor pollutants can lower the risk of air quality-related health concerns.
Indoor pollution sources that release particles or gases into the air are the major causes of poor indoor quality. Others like inadequate ventilation and high humidity and temperature levels also increase pollutant concentration. Here are tips for improving indoor air quality
1. Change your HVAC filter
Your AC unit continually works to ensure the perfect temperature within your home all year round. Since they filter out dirt, grime, and dust particles each day, they’re bound to fill up and stop functioning optimally, leading to poor indoor quality and wearing down your HVAC system. Consider regular filter changes to ensure optimal performance, reduce energy consumption, and ensure quality indoor air. Go for high-quality filter models like MERV 13 for better effectiveness and longevity.
2. Keep your home clean
A clean home is a healthy home. This is because excellent indoor hygiene can significantly reduce animal dander, dust, and more. Your cleaning routine should focus on techniques that can help you minimize pollutant buildup. Regularly vacuuming your area rugs and carpets, ensuring regular cleaning of your drapes, beddings, and other items or surfaces that attract allergens, clearing clutter can help keep your space cleaning, reduce pollutants, and improve indoor air quality.
3. Use an air purifier
If you or your loved ones are allergic to indoor allergens, especially those you have no control over, may call for an air purifier. Place them in the most used areas of your home to reduce any irritants that can trigger contaminated air symptoms. Air purifiers remove dangerous chemicals from your indoor space, neutralize unpleasant odors, lower the chances of airborne illnesses, eliminate asbestos particles, and improve sleep.
4. Let in fresh air
Letting fresh air into your home is the easiest and cheapest method of improving indoor air quality. While opening your doors and windows in winter may seem unrealistic, especially when you want to save money on heating while staying warm, it’s an excellent option to let in more oxygen and keep the nasties out. It also reduces the humidity that some pollutants like dust mites thrive on, improving indoor air quality.
5. Control your home’s humidity
Moist and humid conditions cause mildew and mold, triggering respiratory problems like asthma and allergies. Common causes of humidity in your home include cooking, boiling water, drying laundry indoors, gas heaters, poor ventilation, and more. Consider using a dehumidifier in damp areas like the basement to prevent mold growth. Ensure proper ventilation in your bathrooms to keep mold at bay.
6. Invest in houseplants
Houseplants not only decorate your home but also filter and remove pollutants and harmful airborne toxins. Invest in plants like English Ivy, Spider Plant, Peace Lily, Bamboo Palm, and more for improved indoor air quality.
Endnote
Keeping your indoor air clean is essential to ensure you and your loved ones stay healthy. Use the above tips to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
Image by Tung Nguyen from Pixabay
