The air that you breathe can affect your health. Many people are now aware of this and are taking steps to protect themselves from the various airborne health hazards out there. Outdoor air pollution is only one part of it, though. You spend a considerable chunk of your life at home, so you need to ensure that your home’s air quality is top-notch. Here are some of the things you can do to improve air quality for you and your family:
Reduce The Sources of Pollution
The best way to improve air quality in your home is to reduce the sources of pollution in it. There are several causes of lower air quality in the house. If a member of your family has a smoking habit, then that is one reason. Kicking the smoking habit will be good for both you and your family. A surprising source of indoor air pollution is your gas stove. If you cook a lot using it, then your home will have higher levels of gas in the air. You should look into lowering emissions for whenever you cook or having a kitchen ventilation system installed.
Increase Ventilation Systems
Another way to get rid of all the bad air in your house is to vent it outside. Ventilation brings new air from the outside and forces all the old air inside to go out. Besides clearing out all of the indoor air pollutants, it gives you something fresh to breathe. Ventilation helps control temperatures. Indoor air absorbs all the heat, and new air brings in a cooler temperature. Your HVAC system should be able to handle this. The important thing is to have proper air filters in place so that no outdoor pollutants come in when you start the circulation of air in your home.
Keep The Place Clean
While also improving the general cleanliness of your surroundings, regularly wiping down and vacuuming your home is a great way to eliminate dust. Dust is one of the more persistent causes of low air quality. If you have a pet, the dander from them can be a significant indoor pollutant. Stop these two from accumulating by vacuuming carpets and rugs every two weeks. You should also clean your beddings because they are a common refuge for dust mites and other indoor pollutants.
Invest In Air Cleaners
You might have seen air cleaners for sale before. Buying one or two can be a big help. You will need to purchase the right ones. The main reason for getting them is to remove particle pollutants in the air. The best models are the sort that cleans as much air as possible at the highest possible levels. Some models focus on being able to clean air very efficiently but have low air intakes. You should skip these and buy ones that take in more air. Place the air purifiers in standard rooms like living rooms and dining rooms so that you can get their full effect.
Look For Radon
One dangerous pollutant that you should watch out for is radon. It is an undetectable radioactive gas and a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. The problem is that it is odorless and tasteless, so you don’t know whether it is there or not. Since radon is naturally occurring from the decay of uranium in all soils, you need to be careful about it. You can buy radon reduction systems to install in your home, which can detect and lower radon levels. As long as you catch the high radon levels, there are treatments available that can drop them to acceptable levels.
Maintain Humidity
High humidity means there is a lot of moisture in the air. This can cause mold growth and an increased presence of allergens. It can also make you uncomfortable. Lower the humidity to a reasonable 60 percent with dehumidifiers so that you are much more comfortable.
Your home’s heating and ventilation system can be the cause of bad air quality. The various ducts and pipes that deliver hot air to the parts of your house can become shelters for dust and other things. Mold is an especially bad problem since the spores can then spread all over the house. If you want to stop that from happening, call professional air duct cleaning services every few months. They have the tools for a thorough cleaning.
Improving the air quality in your home is not that expensive. Compared to the costs of medical care, spending money to ensure that you have clean air to breathe is an excellent investment.
