5 Ways To Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is an important aspect of maintaining a healthy home environment. Poor air quality can lead to a variety of health problems, including respiratory issues, headaches, and fatigue. Fortunately, there are several ways to improve indoor air quality. In this blog, we will explore 5 things that every homeowner could doing to improve Indoor Air Quality.
Keep the Air Clean
One of the most important ways to improve indoor air quality is to keep the air within the home clean. One way to accomplish this is to regularly change out the air filters in your HVAC system. Replacing the filters 2 to 3 times a year is a good practice for maintaining healthier Indoor Air Quality. At the time of replacing, using higher-quality air filters in your HVAC system may also provide an added benefit. Another way to keep the air clean in your home is to use an air purifier. These devices remove airborne particles like dust, pet dander, and mold spores, ensuring that the air you breathe is clean and healthy.
Improve Ventilation
Adequate ventilation is essential for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. For purposes of increased energy efficiency, homes today are being built with much tighter building envelopes. As a result, it is now more important than ever to ensure that homes have adequate ventilation. When there is inadequate ventilation in the home, the indoor air becomes stale and stagnant. This creates a breeding ground for indoor air pollutants to grow, such as mold and bacteria. Some simple solutions to consider for improving ventilation are opening windows or using exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen. For a more permanent solution, consider a whole-house ventilation system that can bring conditioned fresh air into the home on a regular basis.
Control Relative Humidity
When relative humidity in the home is high, there is excessive moisture in the air that can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. These Indoor Air Pollutants can cause health complications, such as respiratory issues and allergic reactions. Ideally, the relative humidity in the home should always be between 40-50% for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. One of the jobs of the HVAC system in a home is to remove excessive moisture from the air. It serves as a whole house dehumidifier. In order for the HVAC system to effectively remove excessive moisture from the air, it has to run long enough to properly extract moisture from the air and discharge it through the system. Also, using a portable dehumidifier is a great way to control moisture levels in areas of the home, like bathrooms and kitchens, where moisture levels tend to fluctuate during use.
Eliminate Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic compounds in the form of gasses that have high vapor pressure at room temperature. They can contribute to respiratory problems and other health complications. Many household products and materials release (VOCs) into the air. To reduce the amount of VOCs in your home, you can use natural cleaning products that are non-toxic. If you are a smoker, avoid smoking indoors and transferring VOCs from cigarette smoke. When purchasing new furniture, allow it to air out near open windows. Also, consider replacing carpet in your home with hard flooring as carpet can release VOCs into the air, especially at the time of first installation.
Radon Testing & Mitigation
Radon is a gas that is undetectable to the human sense. Radon is all around us, but we cannot taste it, smell it, or see it. Nevertheless, extended exposure to elevated levels of radon puts homeowners at a higher risk of contracting lung cancer. Radon is found naturally in all of Earth’s soils and can enter homes through cracks in the foundation. The only way to determine if your home has elevated levels of radon is to perform a radon test. If you find that there are high concentrations of Radon in your home, consider taking action to mitigate radon levels in your home.
In conclusion, maintaining healthy indoor air quality is essential for a healthy home environment. By keeping the air clean, improving ventilation, controlling humidity, eliminating sources of pollution, and testing for radon, you can ensure that the air you breathe is clean and healthy. Remember, small changes can make a big difference, so start implementing these tips today to improve your indoor air quality. If you have any questions or would like to seek professional advice about the Indoor Air Quality of your home, reach out to our team at Ensign Building Solutions.