From pollen to smoke to animal dander, the outside world is home to many potential irritants and allergens. The inside of your home should be a respite from the outdoor air, but that’s not always the case. Every time we come inside from the outdoors, we bring some of those particles with us.
In addition, many residential spaces are home to contaminants of their own, like mildew in the laundry room or pet dander lurking in the carpets. Some air pollutants, like carbon monoxide or gas leaks, can also pose serious danger to those living in the home. You can breathe easy with these various ways to improve the indoor air quality of your home.
Common Threats to Indoor Air Quality
First, let’s look at a few of the most common pollutants in residential spaces. Know what you’re up against so you can combat it more effectively.
Mold
Look out for mold growth in parts of your home that see a lot of moisture, like the kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms. Mold is a fungus that needs dark, damp, and poorly ventilated conditions to thrive.
Common Allergens
These particles often latch onto our clothing when we’re outdoors, though they can also originate from indoor sources:
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Animal dander
- Smoke
- Fragrances and scented sprays
Carbon Monoxide
Whenever a material burns in your home, carbon monoxide is released as a waste product. Too much carbon monoxide, especially in poorly ventilated areas, can be deadly. Older indoor heating systems are susceptible to leaks, so it’s crucial to get your HVAC system serviced regularly.
Check Your Filters
The purpose of an HVAC system is to circulate heated or cooled air around your home. When you change the filters regularly, you can enjoy crisp, clean, moving air. However, many people tend to forget filter maintenance if it’s not on a calendar. That’s when you start to see buildup.
When your filters are old and clogged, any new irritant particles that enter the home get circulated around instead of sucked away. You’re stuck with them because the system can’t filter them out.
Next time you call a residential HVAC service, have the specialist look at—and possibly replace—your AC filter. Air conditioners with old and dirty filters often break down more easily and can lead to expensive repairs in the future. Have those filters changed regularly, and write down those appointments in your calendar. First Goal Heating and Cooling offers a variety of maintenance and service plans that make this process easy.
Other air filters in your home also need attention. Kitchen vents and laundry dryers see a great deal of everyday use, so check up on those filters every couple of months. In addition, change the filters on your vacuum cleaner regularly. If you’re prone to allergies, invest in a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
Maintain a Cleaning Schedule
Keep your home as free of contaminants as possible by performing a deep clean every week or two. Focus on the following elements to keep airborne particles at bay:
- Vacuum all rugs and carpeted areas. (Again, if you or someone else in your household suffers from allergies, a HEPA vacuum cleaner is a good investment. It’ll filter out more than 99 percent of the tiny irritants that regular vacuum filters can’t catch.)
- Launder all linens, including curtains. If washing the curtains is a pain, consider replacing them with blinds you can dust easily.
- Dust surfaces like tables, and don’t forget about ceiling fans; those blades accumulate a surprising amount of dust.
- Clean any and all doormats by entrances and exits. These are common places for pollen and other outdoor particulates to roost.
- If you have pets with fur, brush them or give them a bath. Got a dog or two? Consider taking them to the groomer every few weeks to cut down on shedding.
Preventative Measures
Even if you’re not battling a mold infestation or dirty carpets, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent indoor air quality concerns from arising in the future. Add the following elements to your routine at home to nip poor air quality in the bud.
Dehumidify
Prevent mold from making a home in your home by investing in a dehumidifier (or more than one, if you have multiple areas of concern). Lowering the humidity in the air will quash opportunities for mold and mildew to grow.
Increase Cooking Ventilation
If you have a gas stove, your kitchen is more at risk for carbon monoxide contamination. Every time you turn on the stove, turn on the kitchen vents as well. Open a window if weather allows.
Consider Hard Flooring
Carpets are one of the most common places for indoor air pollutants to settle. If you are able, reduce the amount of carpeting in your home and replace it with a hard-surfaced flooring option.
Ban Smoking
Luckily, it’s becoming less socially acceptable to smoke indoors. Still, if you or any loved ones smoke cigarettes, designate an outdoor smoking area on your porch, patio, or balcony. Encourage smokers to wash their hands and even brush their teeth after coming indoors from their cigarette ritual.
Check Detectors Regularly
Every month, check to make sure your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector are in good working condition. Carbon monoxide is known as a silent killer because it’s completely odorless; you’ll need the detector to tell you if there’s a leak.
To improve your home’s indoor air quality and keep it clean, you’ll need the assistance of a residential HVAC specialist. All the vacuuming in the world won’t do you much good if your AC filter is clogged or your ductwork is faulty. Start on solid ground with a clean and well-maintained HVAC system, and clean your home often to keep out pollutants and contaminants.
First Goal Heating and Cooling offers world-class HVAC repair and maintenance, and we are proud to help our clients keep the air in their homes free of pollutants. If your HVAC system needs a repair or replacement, contact us, and we’ll be happy to help.
