When the air quality in your home is poor, everyone suffers. From allergy-related sniffles to sleepless nights, there are many reasons to address the problem. If you’ve tried everything from fancy filters to those portable purifiers, and you’re still not satisfied, don’t give up. Discover these four unique tips for improving air quality in your home and breathe easier.
Remove Your Shoes
Image via Flickr by osiristhe
One easy way to improve indoor air quality that’s often overlooked is to elicit a no-shoe policy. Make it a standing rule that everyone takes off their shoes before heading inside. Shoes are excellent vehicles for dirt, dust, and pollen. Tracking these little buggers inside affects the air you breathe.
Designate a spot on the porch or just inside the front door for shoes. If you have room, put up a shoe rack or store them in a pretty ottoman to keep footwear organized and out of the way.
Have Your HVAC System Inspected
Often the biggest culprit of dirty air is a dirty or inefficient HVAC system. Having your ductwork and air handlers inspected by an expert technician will significantly improve the air quality indoors.
Schedule an annual service call to prevent the buildup of allergy-triggering particles in your system. It will reveal leaks, rust, or wear and tear to your air conditioner’s mechanical parts. Keep your system running at optimal efficiency for maximum comfort.
Fixing or installing a new HVAC system can be costly, so keep up with your system’s performance. Not only will you save on repairs, but you’ll also notice the difference on your electric bill.
Monitor In-Home Humidity
North Carolina is humid, and with high precipitation levels comes the growth of biological organisms. These potentially harmful germs cause respiratory infections and thrive in extremely high humidity. Remove excess moisture from the air and destroy spores and dust mites with a dehumidifier.
Humidity also impacts the way your air conditioner unit works. When there’s tons of water in the air, it forces your HVAC unit to work unusually hard to keep up. If your home’s windows fog with condensation or you smell stale air, it’s time to have your system cleaned and inspected.
Add Some Houseplants
Another easy — and beautiful — way to improve your home’s air quality is with houseplants. While most homeowners know that plants absorb carbon dioxide, they consume many other gases too, such as benzene and formaldehyde. These volatile organic compounds can cause respiratory illnesses, including asthma. Gases radiate from everyday household items such as plastic, fabric, pesticides, cosmetics, and regular household cleaners like dish detergent.
Most houseplants don’t require a ton of care, other than water. Interior landscaping is a fun project for the whole family. Get the kids involved, and make it entertaining by sharing the plants. Playing games like “who’s mum blooms first,” ensures plants get the care they need.
Give your whole house a thorough cleaning, and enlist the aid of these four unique ways to improve the air quality of your home. Refresh your home, then take a breather and relax.
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