One of the most important aspects of comfortable living is clean maintaining clean air to breathe. Many people suffer from allergies and asthma, and breathing clean air is vital for staying healthy.
The good news is that there are many ways you can improve your HVAC indoor air quality at home.
Use Air Cleaners
Air cleaners are a great way to remove a good amount of pollutants from your indoor air. These devices essentially draw in air from one end, run it through a filter, and clean air comes out the other side. Usually these filters are easily washed or replaced, making maintenance a breeze.
How well your air is purified with an air cleaner will depend on the size and model of air cleaner you want to purchase. Some inexpensive air cleaners are small and can fit on a tabletop, though these one are usually less effective than the larger, pricier versions. You can also invest in a whole house air purifier for more consistent and meaningful results.
Replace Your A/C Filters
Making sure your current A/C system is maintained is vital. This system runs through most, if not all of your home, and can greatly impact what your air quality will be like. Not replacing the air filter is one of the most common causes for poor indoor air quality. Make sure to replace the air filter according to your manufacturer instructions
Install & Maintain Home Ventilators
If you find that your home feels stuffy and difficult to cycle fresh air through regularly, you may want to consider a ventilator. Simply put, these devices will help cycle out old, stale air, and bring in fresh air from outdoors. A plus for ventilators is many models are compatible with existing HVAC systems, and can help reduce your energy consumption.
Install & Maintain Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Everyone is aware of carbon monoxide and how toxic it is to humans. When gas is not burned away completely and remains in the air, it is what we know as carbon monoxide. Most states now require, by law, for homes to have a carbon monoxide monitor and alarm in their homes. These act like smoke detectors, except they’re sensing for high levels of carbon monoxide in the air. Routinely test these twice a year to make sure they are in proper working order.
Vacuum Frequently & Make Your Home a ‘No-Shoes Zone’
A great way to maintain the dirt and dust levels in your home is to vacuum frequently. This will reduce the level of dirt particles from being kicked up into the air throughout the day. There are even smart vacuums that can be programmed to automatically vacuum your home on a schedule of your choosing. At the same time, adopting a ‘no-shoes’ policy in your home can reduce the amount of dirt and particles being tracked in from outdoors.
Place Indoor Houseplants around Your Home
Mother Nature truly is the best at her job. Plants naturally convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, and some houseplants do so better than others. This can help provide cleaner, more breathable air through your home regularly. Do some research about which houseplants thrive best in your local region, and pick some up at the local nursery for yourself.
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
Once a year, have your HVAC handyman come in for an inspection of your A/C system. This will guarantee that you can catch any defaults or issues before they come up. Scheduling regular maintenance will also ensure that your A/C system will run smoothly for a long time.
