The desire to improve your home’s indoor air quality usually grows when winter approaches and people close their houses to keep warm. But closed windows trap indoor air pollutants and contribute to poor indoor air quality, which in turn causes a host of health problems. Make your home a healthier and cozier place to spend the winter by following these eight simple steps to improve indoor air quality.
1. Change the HVAC Filter
The filter is of the utmost importance to keep dust, allergies, and other particulates from recirculating throughout your house. Regularly check and replace it as the manufacturer recommends, typically every one to three months. A clean filter lowers the concentration of airborne contaminants and guarantees optimal airflow.
2. Ventilate Your Home
Maintaining healthy air inside your home requires adequate air circulation. You can improve air circulation by improving your home’s ventilation. One of the easiest ways to do this is by opening the windows for a few minutes, but this may not be the best idea during the winter. By letting cold air in, open windows make the HVAC system work harder than normal, increasing wear and tear and your heating bills.
Fortunately, you can improve your home’s ventilation in several other ways. One way is to always use the exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. It also helps to have a professional clean your home’s ductwork regularly.
3. Control Humidity Levels
Mold and dust mites flourish in damp conditions, so keeping the relative humidity in your home at a reasonable level is important. Most experts agree it’s best to strive for a relative humidity value between 30% and 50%. And since heating tends to dry the air, you might find it helpful to use a whole-home humidifier during the winter to improve indoor air quality.
4. Use Low-VOC Products
Paints, cleaning chemicals and some furniture can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Indoor air pollution from VOCs is harmful to humans and pets. They can cause respiratory issues, headaches and eye irritation. To help improve indoor air quality, use products with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC).
5. Regularly Clean Bedding, Carpets and Upholstery
Infestations of dust mites and other allergens can occur in bedding, pillows, curtains, carpets and upholstered furniture, which can impact the indoor air quality. Clean your curtains and bedding regularly, and consider investing in allergy-proof mattresses and pillowcases. The best way to clean carpets and upholstered furniture is to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap dust and other particles.
6. Accessorize With Indoor Plants
In addition to improving the air quality in your home, houseplants provide a touch of nature inside. Some plants have the remarkable ability to clean the air around them by soaking up harmful gases and exhaling clean oxygen. Spider plants, snake plants, peace lilies and Boston ferns are known for their air-filtering capabilities. If you want better air quality in your house, place these plants strategically, like in living rooms, bedrooms and areas with ample sunlight.
7. Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
To prevent problems and keep your HVAC system running well, you must schedule regular maintenance, preferably before winter begins. During annual HVAC maintenance, professionals clean or replace filters, calibrate thermostats and clean the heating system. These tasks enhance system efficiency and improve indoor air quality during the winter.
8. Whole-Home Air Purification System
If you’re still not satisfied with the air quality in your home after implementing these measures, think about using a whole-home air purification system. Our technicians consider the square footage of your home and any allergies you have before making a recommendation on an air purifier. UV lights are among the best whole-home air purification systems, effectively neutralizing airborne pathogens, mold and allergens. They offer continuous air disinfection, reducing the risk of respiratory issues and infections.
Better indoor air quality and a more pleasant living environment result from a combination of actions, including regular HVAC filter changes, the addition of plants that clean the air and the scheduling of expert HVAC maintenance. Here at My Guy Heating and Air, LLC, we make it easy for Longmont, CO homeowners to improve indoor air quality with our vast array of heating and AC services. We even offer maintenance plans. Give us a call today to schedule indoor air quality testing for your home.
