Your home is supposed to be a place of relaxation, comfort, and safety. Living indoors, good air quality is important to prevent health concerns. This is even more important if you have kids and the elderly living in the house. Your HVAC system also plays a crucial role in indoor air quality so consulting air conditioner repair services for inspections and repairs is necessary. Now, let’s know how you can improve your indoor air quality along with the types of indoor air pollution you need to look out for.
Indoor Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter
The first type of indoor air pollution you must deal with is particulate matter. In simple terms, it is something generated as a by-product of combustion or when you burn something. This can be a result of wood or coal fire but also when you tend to burn candles or smoke cigarettes.
The thing with particular matter is that it can be removed if the area is properly cleaned. But, if done the wrong way, you need to keep in mind that particular matter settles in the form of dust, which can easily travel from one area to another. This can happen if you use poor cleaning techniques or a vacuum cleaner.
You need to use a vacuum cleaner that can pick up very fine and small dust particles. If inhaled regularly, it can lead to chronic health problems in the long run.
Gasses
Gasses are perhaps the biggest and the most significant factor contributing to reducing the air quality let alone indoors. Appliances that burn fuel emit gasses like nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide happens to be the most dangerous gas out there.
This is because it is colorless and odorless. Since homeowners are not aware of the gas filling up the room, they can feel drowsiness and headaches eventually resulting in losing consciousness. Furthermore, nitrogen dioxide is produced by gas stoves and kerosene heaters.
This can lead to allergic reactions and irritate the eyes, throat, nose, etc. Finally, carbon dioxide is produced by human respiration and burners operating manually. Consuming or inhaling large amounts of carbon dioxide may result in headaches and dizziness.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile organic compounds tend to be contaminants that are found in a wide variety of materials. For instance, when cooking or using heating appliances, or using paint or furniture polish. The problem with volatile organic compounds is that they evaporate into the air and become vapors at room temperature.
Different types of volatile organic compounds carry different risks. For example, benzene happens to be a carcinogen that comes from cigarette smoke, paint, and solvents and has high risk. Similarly, terpenes including pinene and limonene are found in bathroom cleaners and scented toiletries.
Volatile organic compounds can react with ozone in outdoor air, especially in hot weather, and form irritants like formaldehyde. It is a carcinogen that can irritate the lungs if consumed at high levels. This is why you must consider proper ventilation to allow fresh air and prevent all such contaminants from causing chronic health problems.
Ways To Improve Indoor Air Quality
Now that we have discussed the types of pollution in detail, it is time to shift our attention to improving indoor air quality.
Open The Windows
Opening your windows does a lot to help to improve the indoor air quality. This is because fresh air comes in and toxicants and other pollutants tend to escape. Plus, you should also open the windows during the winter season when humidity is high. You might be tempted to keep them closed but open them for some time especially when the sun is out.
Furthermore, you need to be strategic about opening your windows as well. For instance, if you live near a busy road, it would be best to keep them closed during peak rush hours. That said, only open the windows when the traffic has calmed down.
Clean The Air Filters
Your air conditioner and other home appliances come with filters. These filters are specifically designed to trap contaminants and toxicants. With time, dealing with air can become clogged as well. Not only will it result in toxic air being circulated in the house but also burden the unit.
That is why, you should make it a habit to clean the air filters monthly or bi-monthly based on the usage frequency. Moreover, if the unit happens to be old, it might be that the filters are damaged. You should opt for the exact replacement suggested by the manufacturer.
Moreover, you should keep the ducts clean as well. They only require cleaning once every 2-4 years. So, if your house is dusty and you haven’t cleaned the ducts for years, get in touch with HVAC repair services Huntington for ducts cleaning.
Use Your Cooker Hood And Extractor Fans
Cooking produces smoke, odors, grease, etc. that can irritate while breathing. When cooking, you should switch on the cooker hood and fans even when you are done cooking. Plus, turn on the extractor fans as well even if you find them noisy.
This will help prevent byproducts from circulating inside the house and causing damage to the surroundings. Furthermore, make sure that you get the fans and vents cleaned as well. Grease and oil accumulation is common in such areas and you need to keep them clean.
Be On The Lookout For Dampness And Mold
High humidity can lead to respiratory problems because it provides a perfect breeding ground for spores, mold, fleas, etc. If you already have underlying health conditions like asthma or a weak immune system, you should be careful about the humidity levels in your house.
To avoid increasing humidity levels in your home, you should avoid hanging wet clothes inside the house. Plus, if you are washing the floor or something else, make sure to turn on the fan for the excess water to evaporate quickly.
In addition to that, you should not put damp clothes back in your wardrobe. If mold happens to grow, you will have a lot of trouble dealing with it. Plus, it can also be an issue if you have kids’ clothes placed in the same closet. They might inhale them and experience breathing issues.
Moreover, clogged AC condensate drain line can lead to water leaks and it can cause dampness and later mold growth.
Don’t Block Existing Ventilation
A common problem in households tends to be blocking the existing ventilation. If some objects or items are obstructing the ventilation, you need to remove them and allow proper ventilation especially when the doors and windows are closed.
At the same time, if possible, try opening the windows and doors if you are preparing multiple meals at the same time. Using too much oil or burning the oil can produce a lot of smoke. This is what you need you should avoid especially if you have kids in the house.
Conclusion
Improving indoor air quality is necessary to provide a clean breathing environment for your loved ones. You should allow for proper ventilation and utilize proper cleaning techniques to ensure a clean environment at all times. Moreover, take care of your HVAC unit and have it cleaned and maintained by AC repair services Stony Brook. Plus, consider ducts cleaning as well once every few years.
