When’s the last time you thought about the air quality in your home? It’s common for homeowners not actively to consider the state of their indoor air quality, but it’s incredibly important to your health.
Believe it or not, most people spend 90 percent of their time indoors. Being proactive about monitoring your indoor air quality will lead to a cleaner home with cleaner air.
Six ways to improve indoor air quality in your home
1. Change your air filters
The primary way to maintain your air quality is by changing the air filters in your home regularly. While your A/C unit is cycling air throughout your home, it is also filtering out pollutants in your air. If not cleaned or changed regularly, these filters become full of debris and are unable to filter or cycle your air.
However, your A/C unit isn’t the only home appliance with an air filter. Your kitchen vents and dryer, for example, also need to have their screens regularly checked. Recommendations vary for the frequency of changing your air filters based on your home, pets, and allergies. For specific recommendations of how often to change your air filters, ask an expert service technician.
Additionally, air duct inspections can be a helpful tool to see if you need to have your home’s vents cleaned from trapped dust.
2. Control humidity
When you live in the South during the summer, you’re well-acquainted with humidity. However, this moisture in the air causes more harm than just discomfort (and sweat!). Humidity in your home can result in the growth of mold, mildew, and other bacteria. In turn, mold and mildew can have health effects, such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory symptoms.
While you can’t change the humidity outside of your home, there are things you can do to balance the moisture inside. The leading approach for reducing the amount of your home’s humidity is with a dehumidifier or whole-house humidifier.
3. Invest in air purifier
A practical home appliance that significantly affects your air quality is an air purifier. Air purifiers can capture dust, debris, and other irritants that lead to health problems for you and your family.
You can purchase air purifiers that are mobile and can be placed throughout your home. Or, you can invest in an in-duct air purifier that moves through your HVAC system. If you have pets or live in an area that’s consistently high in its pollen count, an air purifier is an excellent way to keep your air clean and your health in check.
4. Keep your floors clean
When thinking about indoor air quality, you’re probably not thinking about what’s on your floors and under the funiture. However, similar to your air vents, your floors act as a filter of their own, collecting debris and dust. When your rugs and carpets trap dirt, it lowers the quality of the cleanliness of both your floors and air.
Other areas that trap dust are couches, bedding, drapes, and cluttered spaces in your home. Ultimately, routine cleaning helps maintain your home’s indoor air quality – which will lead to a healthy mind, body, and home.
5. Let fresh air in
On occasion, it’s a good idea to open your windows and let some fresh air into your home. Allowing for outside air to move through your home can help with ventilation, especially in the kitchen while cooking. Opening your windows, regardless of the season, can help rid your home of pollutants that are trapped inside. Because most heating and air systems do not mechanically bring in the fresh air, manually opening a window is an excellent place to start.
6. Go green
There are several eco-friendly ways to reduce air pollution in your home. One suggestion is to add indoor plants to your home. The presence of plants enhances air quality and also can improve your mental health. Avoiding smoking indoors, leaving your shoes by the front door instead of wearing them in the house, using essential oils, and using natural cleaning products are all pathways to naturally enhancing the indoor air quality of your home.
Call Dixie, and it’s done!
At Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air (or Call Dixie), your satisfaction is guaranteed. For plumbing, electrical, or heating and air services, our highly trained technicians will do it right the first time, on time, every time. For coupons and discounts on all the services Call Dixie has to offer, click here. To schedule a service with Call Dixie, call for 334.328.3570 Montgomery or 334.246.4914 for Auburn. You can also schedule an appointment online. For emergency service and immediate assistance, please call our 24/7 service line at 334.328.3570.
