7 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Have you ever considered the air quality in your home or business? The air quality in the spaces that we live and work can have a big impact on our health, our mood, and our overall quality of life. Air pollution indoors is just as common as air pollution outdoors, yet it isn’t a topic that we hear about often. But with so many things to worry about, who has time to worry about their indoor air quality?!
Don’t panic: with a little bit of knowledge and a few small adjustments, you can improve your indoor air quality and your quality of life.
Causes of Poor Air Quality
First, let’s find out what causes poor air quality in your home or business. Air pollutants can come in many forms and can have varying effects on the people and pets that are exposed to them. Some pollutants are more dangerous than others, but all should be taken seriously. Some common air pollutants include:
- Pet dander
- Gas leaks
- Carbon monoxide
- Asbestos
- Lead particles
- Mold
- Mildew
Ways to Improve Air Quality
When it comes to some of the more dangerous pollutants, drastic measures may be necessary to restore better air quality. But not all pollutants are as severe, and some may only require a few minor tweaks to remedy. Below are 7 ways that you can improve your indoor air quality:
- Change Your AC and Furnace Filters
The air-conditioning and furnace units in your home or business work to maintain the perfect temperature all year round. Not only do these appliances work to heat and cool your home, but they also filter out some common air pollutants at the same time. After some use, the air filters in your AC and furnace units fill up and can no longer catch pollutants, which can decrease your indoor air quality and wear down your appliances. It’s important to regularly change your furnace and air conditioner filters, especially if you are allergy prone, live in a metropolitan area, or have pets. A good rule of thumb is to change your filters once or twice a year, at the change of season. - Check Your Air Ducts
Air ducts provide the important role of circulating hot and cold air throughout your space, which helps regulate the temperature in every room. Ducts that are not well maintained can quickly become an issue as they can actually aid in distributing contaminants throughout your home or business. Over time, dust, dander, mold, and other pollutants can build up in your ducts and lead to poor air quality. For this reason, it is important to have your ducts cleaned and inspected regularly. - Keep Carpets Clean
Rugs and carpets can add a fun and functional element to any room, but they are also extremely good at trapping dust and particles. Carpet fibres attract all kinds of particles, which removes them from the air, but they can be easily stirred up again just by walking across the surface. Cleaning your carpets and rugs weekly will help keep them free of pollutants while also improving your overall air quality. Also consider the pile length and material of your carpets, as these elements affect how much dirt and dust will be trapped by the fibres. - Clean Out Appliance Filters
When you think about filters in your home, the AC and Furnace aren’t the only appliances that should come to mind. If you want an easy way to improve air quality in your home, be sure to clean out other household filters such as in your vacuum cleaner, kitchen vents, dryer, and humidifiers/dehumidifiers. By keeping these filters maintained, you help these appliances trap harmful pollutants more effectively. - Use Cooking Vents
The kitchen is where it all happens, which is why many pollutants happen in this room. Whether it be cooking related pollutants, or contaminants from gas stoves and appliances, all of these particles can contribute to poor air quality in your home. To help combat this, always use kitchen vents when cooking, or open a window to increase air flow. - Use Indoor Plants
Plants are a wonderful way to add an aesthetic element to your home, but they are also fantastic at naturally filtering air. Even just a few indoor plants can significantly improve indoor air quality - just make sure you choose a plant that is best for your gardening ability or skill level. For those without a “green thumb”, succulents or cacti are a great choice. - Control Humidity Levels
We all know that humidity and moisture can contribute to mold and mildew, and these contaminants can cause serious issues for those with allergies or asthma. If your climate brings hot and humid conditions in the summer months, consider reducing the amount of moisture in the air and controlling humidity levels with one or more dehumidifiers in your space. There are a wide variety of dehumidifiers available, from simpler models that run constantly to more advanced models that monitor humidity levels and self-adjust.
If you think that your home or business may have poor air quality and could have mold, contact mold removal or air quality testing experts today. Air quality testing can help determine which pollutants may be present in your space and experts can provide quick and efficient air quality tests that utilize laboratory analysis and accurate reporting, so you can feel confident knowing exactly what is in the air around you.