With everyone inside all day every day, having clean air indoors is a vital piece to the health of your family. Maintaining a high level of indoor air quality is a lot simpler than you might think — you are probably already taking part in some of the ways to increase air quality without even realizing it.
House Plants
Plants create the oxygen we breathe, so having them around the house helps recycle the air around you. The plants consume the carbon dioxide that humans produce and, in turn, return oxygen for you to breathe. This recycling process allows the air to be cleared of toxins and bacteria, thus purifying the air in your home.
Additionally, they add humidity back into your home, which maintains moisture in your nasal passages and skin – making it easier to breathe.
Having Air Filters or Purifiers
HEPA and pleated air filters within your HVAC system help reduce the amount of particulates and bacteria that enter your home’s airways. This can reduce any inflammatory particulates in your home, allowing you and your family to breathe easier.
You can also install in-duct air purifiers, like the RemeHalo, which clean and purify the air in your home before it is recirculated and sent back out. Having specialized air filters are vital for those who are immunocompromised or have allergies year-round.
Cleaning Regularly
Dander from pets and people is one of the main culprits for allergens within your home and air around you. By leaving your home messy and dusty, you run the risk of increasing your dust mite population and the risk for allergens.
An easy solution to make your home have the cleanest air possible is by vacuuming, dusting and cleaning on a weekly basis. Make sure you clean your vacuum once every few months to clean out any dust and grime buildup. If you wash your vacuum, make sure it dries completely before putting it back together or you run the risk of it collecting mold.
To go the extra mile with cleaning your home, buy a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Like a HEPA filter for your HVAC system, a HEPA filter for your vacuum filters out the particulates and gives your home an even more thorough clean that other vacuums can’t.
Washing Your Hands
After coming home from being outside, always make sure to wash your hands. This simple addition to your routine will stop the spread of germs and bacteria in your home. If you have pets, make sure you wash your hands after playing with them, as they carry allergens that pollute the air in your home.
Walking Inside Your Home Without Shoes
Your shoes are a lot dirtier than you might expect — so make sure they stay at the front door when you get home! Doing so will reduce the amount of particulates, bacteria and dirt being tracked on your floors.
This easy habit can alleviate a lot of common allergens like mold and dust from the majority of your home’s air. Just keep your shoes sequestered in one area.
Removing Mold
Mold is a way nature decomposes waste, but it is a very common allergen for most people. If you have a musty smell or any visible mold within your home, have it immediately removed or checked out by a professional. Unchecked mold in your home can lead to health problems in the future.
Mold has a tendency to stay in places that are damp — like your kitchen or bathroom – so make sure to have an inspection of high-moisture areas in your home on a yearly basis. This can help keep the air quality in your home pristine and healthy and avoid exposing you or your family to potentially harmful spores.
Increase Ventilation Within Your Home
Ample ventilation within your home can not only improve the quality of air in your home, but it can also help reduce chemicals and particulates from staying within your HVAC system.
You can increase ventilation in your home by having ceiling and portable fans set up and active during weather seasons like the summer or sickness seasons like the flu. By placing them in areas of your home that don’t have many windows or access to your HVAC system’s airflow, the fan creates its own air system and is able to recirculate the air.
If you’re in need of installing an air purifier or are wanting to take steps to having healthier air within your home, contact Champion AC to make the air within your home the healthiest it can be.
