5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Easy Ways to Improve Your Home's Air Quality
Many people tend to think of air pollution as something that we escape as soon as we shut ourselves indoors. But the awful truth is that the inside your home can actually be MORE polluted than the smoggy, ozone-y, hazy air outside - about 7-10 TIMES MORE, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Your home should not only be the place where you experience the most comfort, but also the place where you feel happiest and healthiest. Breathe easy! We at Technical Hot & Cold are here to share with you some ways you can start improving your indoor air quality today.
Change Your Air Filter
As its name implies, the air filter used by your HVAC system is responsible for trapping harmful pollutants and keeping them from being distributed throughout your home as it recycles air through the ductwork. If your air filter is dirty and clogged, you not only risk doing damage to your heating and cooling equipment, but also risk introducing nasty particles into the indoor air.
We at Technical Hot & Cold recommend changing your air filter every 30-60 days. If you need help deciding what size and type of air filter is right for your system, all you have to do is call us!
Clean Your Ductwork
Your ductwork is responsible for distributing warm and cold air throughout your home. If they aren’t properly maintained, things like dust, dander, and even mold can build up inside them and have quite a negative impact on your indoor air quality.
Generally, you should schedule ductwork cleaning with THC every 5-7 years. In the meantime, there are some DIY ways you can keep your ductwork in good shape in between cleanings including:
- Regularly cleaning the surfaces of the ends of each duct
- Changing out air filters
- Seal gaps between the edge of each duct and the wall
- Clean supply & return air registers
Clean Your Carpets
Carpet is more than just a part of your home décor. It also acts as an air filter, improving your indoor air quality by trapping dust and other particles within its fibers - but only if you commit to a weekly regimen of cleaning and vacuuming.
If you don’t have any carpet in your home, consider getting some rugs to gain the same air filtering benefits.
Get Some Houseplants
Houseplants are literally nature’s air purifiers. In fact, placing just one plant in any room in your home can improve its air quality by 25% as the plant absorbs carbon dioxide and replaces it with fresh oxygen. Some types of houseplants can even filter out common indoor pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene that are found in everyday things like household cleaners, furniture, scented candles, and more.
Control Humidity
Too much or too little moisture in the air - such as during the summer and winter months, respectively - can significantly impact the quality of the air you breathe indoors. Not only that, but unbalanced humidity can also lead to respiratory illness, allergy symptoms, skin irritation, household damage, and overall discomfort.
You can counteract the effects of unbalanced indoor humidity by having Technical Hot & Cold install a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier, which work alongside your heating and cooling systems to maintain consistent moisture levels and create more comfortable living conditions in your home.
Need Help Improving Your Indoor Air Quality? Call Technical Hot & Cold!
Maintaining fresh and healthy indoor air quality is an ongoing process, and the professionals at Technical Hot & Cold are here to help! We offer a range of maintenance and installation services including air duct cleaning, moisture control, and more. Give us a call at (734) 326-3900 or schedule an appointment online and breathe easy knowing that you’re taking the best steps possible towards creating a safe and clean indoor environment for yourself and your family.
