It’s National Clean Air Month! What a perfect time for your Canal Winchester Heating & Cooling experts to highlight the importance of good indoor air quality (IAQ). Did you know that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outside air? This happens because indoor air keeps circulating in your home without proper filtration or ventilation. As such, improving the air quality inside your home is crucial since you spend most of your time there. Continue reading to learn the dos and don’ts of maintaining good indoor air quality.
Things That Can Lower Indoor Air Quality
Here are some examples of odors that can lower the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in your home:
- Dust
- Germs
- Viruses
- Humidity
- Mold and mildew
- Pet smells
- Cigarette smoke
- Kitchen odors
- Pollen
- Any allergen trigger
1. Stop Missing Air Filter Changes
Don’t: It’s easy to forget tasks when you’re busy, but one you should always remember is changing your air filters. You don’t want to keep missing these! Air filters are key for keeping the air in your home clean by catching dust, dirt, pollen, and other pollutants. If they get too dirty and overloaded, they can’t do their job well, which could be bad for your health.
Do: Replace your air filters every 1-2 months. Regularly changing them helps lower the levels of dust, dirt, and pollutants in the air.
2. Stop Allowing Smells and Stuffy Air to Accumulate
Don’t: Odor is a natural occurrence, and there’s no shame in it. But it’s important to make sure they don’t just keep building up in your home. Odors from cooking, pets, or daily household activities can accumulate, making your home feel stuffy and reducing indoor air quality. Some odors, especially from harsh cleaning chemicals, can even be harmful to your health if not addressed.
Do: Install a whole-home air purifier, such as the iWave-R. It’s designed to integrate with your HVAC system, using patented technology to clean the air by removing odors and harmful particles. This air purifier is self-cleaning, requiring minimal maintenance. Enjoy improved air quality effortlessly, with just an initial setup.
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Do: Another effective solution is using UV lights. These lights are installed in your air ducts to zap and kill airborne germs on the spot before they spread in your home. Plus, UV bulbs only need to be replaced every 2-3 years, making them a convenient option. With their low maintenance requirements, they really are a fantastic solution!
3. Stop Letting Moisture Go Unchecked
Don’t: Don’t let moisture go unchecked. If you’ve suspected your home has particularly high humidity levels, it’s time to get it taken care of once and for all. Too much moisture in your home can cause mold, leading to breathing problems and other health issues. Make sure to look out for signs of moisture, like water stains on ceilings or walls, musty smells, or condensation on windows.
Do: If your home is very humid, think about getting a whole-home dehumidifier for the whole house. It pairs with your HVAC system to cut down on air moisture, stops mold from growing, and makes the air inside better to breathe. Plus, it can save on your energy bills by easing the load on your AC.
Follow these tips to boost indoor air quality, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving higher IAQ. A happy, healthy home begins with clean and well-cared-for air! If you have any other questions, we’d love to answer them!
We’d love to be a part of your air quality journey! Call Canal Winchester Heating & Cooling today at (614) 524-4737, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
