Ross and Witmer In trying to get the best from our HVAC systems, we often attempt to keep our homes as well sealed as possible. The unfortunate casualty in such endeavors, however, can be the quality of the indoor air we breathe. Improve the air inside your home with this three-step strategy:
Eliminate Indoor Air Pollution
All homes contain sources of indoor air pollution. Identifying and eradicating these contaminants can make a real difference in air quality levels. Paint, cleaning solutions and everyday devices like furnaces and stoves, all emit airborne pollutants. Use non-toxic cleaners and store chemical products in an outdoor shed. Make sure appliances are regularly serviced and properly vent gases outside. Tackle the causes of dampness in the home, as this will reduce the buildup of mold – another well known air polluter.
Improve Ventilation
Open up your home when you can to let the outside in. Fresh air can dramatically improve the indoor air quality so, when you can, get windows and doors open. Windows on opposite sides of the room get the best results, as this facilitates cross-ventilation. Focus particularly on kitchens and bathrooms, as they are particularly susceptible to poor indoor air quality issues. If opening windows and doors doesn’t improve air quality levels in kitchens and bathrooms, then use exhaust fans as an additional measure in these rooms.
Clean the Air
Air cleaners are an efficient way of removing dust and other pollutants from indoor air. A range of devices are available from small tabletop units to sophisticated whole-house systems.Examine performance in terms of how effective the device is at collecting pollutants and how much air is drawn through the cleaning or filtering element. Gaseous pollutants such as radon require additional measures.
Improving the indoor air within your home is as easy as 1-2-3, if you follow these straightforward tips. And given the linkages between poor air quality and health conditions such as asthma, allergies and other respiratory ailments, it clearly should be a priority for homeowners.
For more expert advice on this issue, contact us at Ross and Witmer, proudly serving the Charlotte area since 1945.