Your home’s air quality can substantially affect you and your family’s well-being, from allergies to aggravating respiratory problems, creating severe health consequences. But a healthier and easier-to-maintain home environment may be achieved with some simple changes.
Click here for additional tips on enhancing your house’s HVAC and air quality.
1. Upgrade your ventilation system
Ventilation systems play a key role in keeping indoor spaces free from contaminants such as viruses. Airflow helps reduce droplets and particles that contain viruses or contaminants; ventilation also plays a part in controlling building temperatures and increasing indoor humidity levels.
Lack of ventilation can increase indoor pollutants by not providing enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from sources inside and by failing to vent them outside. Carbon monoxide, radon and other toxic gasses may accumulate without adequate air exchange in homes that do not receive sufficient ventilation.
Moreover, moisture levels in your home could rise and cause wood rot, mold growth and structural damage as a result of inadequate ventilation as well.
Idealistically, people could improve indoor air quality simply by opening windows, but this isn’t always feasible or effective for everyone in older homes or communities that are vulnerable to wildfire smoke or pollution.
Luckily, there are other methods for making your ventilation system more effective – from installing humidifiers and air cleaners to increasing outdoor airflow into your home.
2. Install a humidity control system
Keeping your home’s humidity level at the perfect level is essential to producing a comfortable interior atmosphere. High humidity levels can lead to the thriving of mold, mildew, and dust mites, possibly causing allergies and respiratory problems for you and your family.
Low humidity levels can cause dry skin, static electricity build-up and nasal congestion; having a humidity control system in your home helps ensure the air remains at an ideal four percent to 60% humidity range for restful sleep and better concentration for work or school.
3. Clean your home regularly
Regular cleaning removes dust, allergens, and bacteria that build up on surfaces to help people remain healthy while decreasing respiratory issues such as allergies or asthma.
Natural cleaners are safe for both children and pets should be used, while it’s also important to vacuum frequently and declutter to reduce dust, allergens, and dander in the air, as well as clean carpets/rugs regularly if thick ones contain lots of dust/allergens/dander/etc.
Unimproved indoor air quality doesn’t need to be complex or costly; using natural cleaning products, regularly replacing HVAC filters, and adding plants can all help create a healthier living environment for you and your family.
4. Be mindful of indoor plants
While indoor plants are often praised for improving air quality, their impact on indoor air pollutants is debated. While they may help reduce specific chemicals in laboratory settings, there is currently no evidence that houseplants eliminate significant quantities of pollutants in homes.
Additionally, overwatering indoor plants can promote the growth of mold, which can trigger allergies. If you choose to have indoor plants, be mindful of proper care and avoid excessive watering.
Of course, maintaining proper hygiene should remain top of mind; make small changes now for the benefit of both yourself and your wallet! Peace lilies, spider plants, and snake plants can all contribute positively towards air quality in the home.
