Improving Indoor Air Quality at Home

Many homeowners don’t realize that the air quality inside their home affects their health. Breathing in particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and chemicals can cause illness, allergies, and even asthma attacks. Improving indoor air quality at home is easy if you know the right methods. Let’s take a look at the best ways to improve your indoor air and your family’s health.

Improving Indoor Air Quality by Replacing HVAC Filters

A traditional HVAC system has a filter that removes particles from the conditioned air entering your home. Make sure to keep track of when these filters should be replaced to improve air quality in your home. Different models require filter replacement at different intervals, but the general rule of thumb is every 30 to 90 days.

Pay close attention to the type of filter that you purchase; cheaper filters won’t remove the smallest particles from the air. If you don’t change your filter, you’ll have more irritating pollutants in your indoor air. You may also end up overworking your HVAC system, making it less efficient and reducing its lifespan.

Opening Your Windows

It’s important to regularly open your windows to air out your home. In the winter weather or sweltering summer heat, you may only want to open your windows for a short amount of time. Ten to fifteen minutes each day are all you need to replace stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. Think about the best time of day in your climate for opening your windows.

Using Air Purification Devices

Standalone air purifiers in commonly used areas of your home are helpful for improving indoor air quality. You can also choose to have a whole-house air purifier added to your HVAC system. This filters harmful particles from the air that is being transferred to all the rooms in your home. Consider your options based on the size of your home and your budget.

Improving Indoor Air Quality with House Plants

NASA’s famous 1989 study concluded that certain house plants remove contaminants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. Place house plants around your home as an affordable way of improving indoor air quality. Spider plants, bamboo palms, and peace lilies are common air-purifying houseplants that are easy to maintain.

Exceptional Engineering Home Inspections provides home inspection services to Maricopa County. Contact us to schedule an appointment.