Ross and Witmer If you’re like many homeowners, you could probably use a little help on how to improve indoor air quality. This is important because polluted air may trigger or exacerbate a number of respiratory issues, and can be especially hard on those suffering from allergies and asthma.
Here are a few things you can do to clean up your indoor air:
Freshen Up Your Floors
Carpets are notorious for being filled with bacteria and other unwanted irritants. Using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter will help get rid of many of these pollutants. If you have wood or tile floors, mopping on a regular basis will help as well. And if possible, don’t allow people to wear shoes inside your home.
Ventilate Your Home
A good rule of thumb is to frequently exchange clean air from outside with the polluted air from inside. Opening doors and windows will help but only when the outside temperatures and humidity allow. Mechanical ventilation is more dependable during all seasons. Also be sure to use the exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom to remove dirty and humid air from these locations.
Maintain Healthy Humidity Levels
The aforementioned exhaust fan in your bathroom will help control humidity and, therefore, decrease the likelihood of mold and mildew. If this isn’t enough, you may want to invest in a dehumidifier to keep your humidity levels at a healthy level. Use a portable model for localized moisture problems, and a whole-house dehumidifier for more serious humidity problems.
Don’t Allow Smoking
Tobacco smoke can ruin everything – your lungs, your clothes, even the appliances in your home. No matter how many pollutants you remove from your air, if you’re allowing people to smoke inside your home, you’re not doing yourself any favors. If you or your guests insist on smoking, do it outside.
Use Natural Products
The cleaners, air fresheners and fragrances that many of us use emit a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Avoiding the use of these products will keep you from breathing in these harmful chemicals.
For more expert advice on how to improve indoor air quality, or other home comfort concerns, please contact the professionals at Ross & Witmer. We’ve been serving the HVAC needs of Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Gaston, Union and the surrounding areas since 1945.