When we think of poor air quality and pollution, it is usually not the indoor air that comes to mind. Most of us consider the deteriorating pollution levels and the outdoor air quality to be the cause of many of our health ailments. But did you know the air inside your home can get can you sick too? The air inside your home is usually filled with many particles and pollutants that can have adverse effects on your health. According to an EPA report, the level of indoor air pollutants has increased dramatically in the past few years. So, the question how to improve indoor air quality is an important one.
Read on to learn more about how you can improve indoor air quality in your home or business, including a series of steps that can help you lower the level of air contaminants in your home.
To learn more or schedule HVAC maintenance service in St. Louis and the surrounding areas, contact the heating and air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons today.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality? – 5 Easy Steps
The following are some key steps the can help you improve indoor air quality through the use of your HVAC system and more.
Conduct a Thorough Inspection of Your HVAC Filters
When there is improper handling and maintenance of your HVAC system filters, they can contribute to poor indoor air quality. If the filter has not been cleaned in a while, it can get clogged with bacteria, pollen, pet dander, soot, and even mold spores, which reduces the airflow. A clogged-up air filter is not very efficient in filtering out harmful contaminants either. This is why it is important to clean or replace your filter regularly.
Clean the Ventilation System
Without proper ventilation in your home, the stale and stagnant air will have no place to escape. It is usually recommended to keep your windows and doors open (when you can) to encourage better ventilation. But this might not be possible when it is too hot or cold outside. Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) can be an excellent option if you are looking to get a ventilator installed in your home or business. If you already have a ventilation system installed, make sure to get it cleaned frequently for better indoor air quality.
Bring Some Nature Indoors
If you want to improve your indoor air quality, there is probably nothing better than some houseplants. Adding plants to your home is a great way to create fresh oxygen for your home as well as filter pollutants from the air. Plus, houseplants are always a great addition to your home décor.
Some plants you can consider adding to your space include:
- Aloe (easy to care for)
- Rubber tree (thrives in poor lighting, cleans the air, requires minimal care)
- English Ivy (excellent for filtering the air)
- Bamboo Palm (removes trichloroethylene and benzene from the air)
- Snake plant (purifying, doesn’t need much light and water)
Use Exhaust Fans and Dehumidifiers
Your indoor humidity levels should ideally be around 30-60%. If it is more than that, your home can become a breeding ground for bacteria and toxic mold. This, in turn, can issue a range of health issues. Using exhaust fans and dehumidifiers can help in getting rid of the excess humidity, vastly improving your air quality.
Clean & Vacuum Regularly
You can improve your indoor air quality significantly just by vacuuming a little more frequently. Vacuums with HEPA filters are especially great at reducing dust, harmful allergens, and mites. You should also make sure to remove the dust from surfaces with the help of a dry cloth.
Improve Your Indoor Air Quality with Galmiche & Sons
The 5 steps given above will hopefully give you some idea about how to improve indoor air quality in your space. If you are looking for an HVAC specialist in St. Louis for getting your filters checked and to help with other indoor air quality and HVAC concerns, look no further. Galmiche & Sons is here to fulfill all your HVAC needs. Contact us today at 314-993-1110 to learn more or schedule your HVAC appointment!
