How To Improve the Home's Indoor Air Quality This New Year
Many homeowners start each new year by making a list of the home improvement projects and goals they want to achieve in the year ahead. Some are necessary, some are long overdue, and some are just for fun. But of all the possible tasks to get to this year, improving the home's indoor air quality should probably be at the top of the list.
Indoor air quality is the metric for the level of pollutants present in a home's air. Many homeowners may be shocked to learn that they have very poor air quality - high levels of pollutants. This is because pollutants tend to become trapped in homes and build to higher concentrations. The effects of poor indoor air quality can range from mild respiratory discomfort to serious long-term illness, so homeowners should do everything they can to improve their home's air quality. Fortunately, it's easier than it seems!
Change the HVAC Air Filters on Time
The first step toward cleaner air in the home is regularly replacing the home's HVAC air filter(s). The air filter plays a critical role in capturing airborne pollutants such as dust, pet dander, pollen, and mold. But if it gets too dirty, airflow and circulation will suffer, and contaminants will begin to build up in the home.
How often to change the filter depends on a variety of factors. Homes with multiple pets will need more frequent filter replacements to handle all the dander and tracked-in dirt. The same applies to homes in areas with a lot of dust, pollen, or other outdoor pollutants. If anyone in the home has allergies or asthma, it's a good idea to invest in higher-quality filters and change them more often.
Changing the filters every 1-3 months should do the trick depending on the above factors. When in doubt, homeowners can visually inspect the filter to get a sense of how often they need air filter replacement - if it looks caked in dust or no light shines through when held up to a light, it's time for a new filter.
Install an Air Purifier
Air purifier systems are another effective and popular way to help improve indoor air quality. These devices use various methods to attract and neutralize harmful airborne pollutants. Depending on the model, an air purifier may use HEPA filtration, ultraviolet light, or activated charcoal filtration (or a combination of these) to accomplish this.
Portable air purifiers are a popular and relatively inexpensive option for cleaning the air in individual rooms of the house. Conversely, homeowners can invest in a whole-home air scrubber. Air scrubbers generally perform the same function as air purifiers. Still, they are generally installed at the point of the HVAC system to purify the air for the entire home as it circulates.
Keep the House Clean
While AC/heater maintenance (such as air filter changes) and the addition of an air purifier are highly effective ways to improve and maintain indoor air quality, it all starts with keeping a clean home. Particulate matter like dust and dander can collect on surfaces throughout the home, only to get kicked up at the slightest movement and either immediately breathed in or recirculated through the home.
Homeowners can help minimize the number of pollutants in their homes by dusting surfaces, sweeping and mopping hard floors, vacuuming carpets, rugs, and upholstery, and regularly washing bedspreads and curtains. By staying vigilant and employing all of these methods, homeowners can enjoy clean air all year round!
About LenAire, Inc.
LenAire, Inc. has been the trusted resource for HVAC services in Bossier City since 1987. They provide competitive pricing, free estimates on select services, and guarantee 100% satisfaction on every job. Their trustworthy experts always arrive on time in fully stocked trucks, so call now for HVAC services!
