How To Improve Your Indoor Air Quality (Part 1)
The quality of your indoor air is crucial since it impacts the health and overall comfort of every family member. Dusty vents, clogged AC Filters, high humidity, and more can turn the air in your home stale and musty.
In the tropics of SW Florida, we are very susceptible to high indoor humidity. Too much humidity can cause a host of issues, including mold and mildew build up. Simple steps like scheduled AC maintenance and regularly cleaning vents, ducts, and filters can go a long way in improving your home’s air quality.
Below are a few tips you can use to improve the air quality in your home.
Change Air Filters Regularly
Changing your air filters is your first line of defense.
A clean air filter helps ensure that dust and other airborne irritants get trapped instead of being recirculated throughout your home. Also, consider having your ducts cleaned to remove trapped dust.
Indoor Relative Humidity Setting
Keep your indoor relative humidity setting below 70%—ideally between 45% and 60%. Excessive humidity can trigger pest problems, mildew, bacterial and viral growth. It can also lead to allergies, asthma, and respiratory problems. Plus, it makes you feel hot and sticky indoors.
If high humidity is an issue throughout your home, the problem can be somewhat solved with your air conditioner. Air conditioners dehumidify the air as part of the cooling process. However, if your humidity level has skyrocketed, your AC likely won’t be able to keep up with the moisture removal demands of your space. A whole house dehumidifier picks up where your AC leaves off.
A low-maintenance way to keep your entire home dry, healthy, and comfortable, it pulls excessive moisture out of the air. As a bonus, a dehumidifier takes some of the weight off your AC unit so it doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home comfortable.
Keep Your Home Clean
A clean and clutter-free home is a healthy home. Vacuum the carpets and area rugs at least once a week. Ensure the vacuum cleaner is equipped with a HEPA filter.
You may also want to professionally clean your carpets regularly. If you are renovating, consider hard-surface flooring instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. Regularly clean bedding, window treatments, and other items that tend to attract allergens—particularly if you have pets. Dust and clean your ceiling fans to keep allergens at bay.
Doormats And Shoes
Place a mat at the door and remove your shoes. People track in all sorts of chemicals via their shoes.
A doormat reduces the amount of dirt, sand, debris, pesticides, and other pollutants from getting into your home.
Install An Air Purifier
If you are suffering from indoor allergens and are unable to control the source of the problem, it may help to use an air purifier. These devices capture irritants that may trigger your symptoms. Keep in mind even though all allergens will not be removed completely, you can minimize them.
Whole-home air purification systems like the Reme Halo can seamlessly integrate with your HVAC system to remove up to 98% of irritating airborne particles, including pollen, smoke, pet dander, dust, mold, bacteria, and some viruses.
The results can dramatically improve indoor air quality and help alleviate allergy and asthma triggers. This is an ideal add-on product for pet owners and those who suffer from respiratory issues. Contact us for more info on the Reme Halo.
PRO TIP: By performing a home indoor air quality test, you can make sure the air you breathe is healthy. Contact Sunset Air and Home Services for a whole-home evaluation.
No Smoking Indoors
Smoke and nicotine odors from cigarettes and other tobacco products seep into everything. From furniture and curtain fabrics, to bedding and clothing, it’s nearly impossible to avoid.
PRO TIP: If you have smokers, you will want to consider using an air purifier in your home.
Call Sunset Air and Home Services
For nearly 25 years, we’ve built a successful culture on educating our customers and never selling them something they don’t need.
Moreover, it is important to us to serve you with honesty and integrity, every time. Contact Us for advice about your indoor air quality, or anything HVAC.
Related Reading
