Until recent years, indoor air quality wasn’t something that was on the top of anyone’s mind. Now, offices, schools, and businesses are doing more and more to improve their indoor air quality. People are finding ways to improve their indoor air quality at home as well.
I have been taking care of heating and air conditioning systems in Abingdon, VA and the surrounding areas for years. During that process, I also look into the home’s air quality. We have installed air purification systems, special air filters, and humidification control as well.
We spend most of our time indoors, breathing the air within our homes, offices, and recreational spaces. This air can have a profound impact on our health, comfort, and overall well-being.
In this article we will go over a few easy steps you can take to improve your air at home, and a few more permanent ones that will keep the air clean and healthy. If you live in the Abingdon, VA area and are looking for a little help with your indoor air quality, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us right here online.
Why Is Indoor Air Quality Important?
The quality of the air in your home directly affects your health and the comfort in your home. Poor IAQ has been linked to a variety of health issues, ranging from immediate effects like allergies and respiratory issues to long-term consequences such as chronic respiratory diseases and heart problems.
Contaminants like mold, pollen, dust mites, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can accumulate indoors, leading to some of these issues, and making homeowners want more from their indoor air quality. According to the EPA, the common organic pollutants inside can be up to 5 times more prevalent than the air outside. It gives a whole new meaning to “Stepping out for some fresh air”.
If you have someone in your home that has asthma or other breathing problems, the air quality is so important. The cleaner the air is, the better for everyone’s health.
What Can You Do To Improve Your Air Quality?
Improving indoor air quality usually involves a combination of strategies. In the process, you’ll want to reduce indoor pollutants, enhance the ventilation, and maintain optimal humidity levels. There are a few things you can do yourself, and also a few things you could install to clean up the air. Here are four effective ways to improve the air quality in your home or business:
Change Your Air Filter
One of the simplest yet most effective steps to improve indoor air quality is to regularly change the air filters in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This is an easy task that you can perform on your own. We recommend changing your air filter once every 2-3 months.
Air filters are designed to trap dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles, preventing them from circulating throughout your home. There are different rated filters for your HVAC system, noted by MERV rating, going from 1-16, 16 being the most effective.
Ask your HVAC technician, but they will likely recommend a filter that is right in the middle of the scale. Sometimes the highest rated filters can restrict airflow, making it a burden on the HVAC system.
Schedule An HVAC Service
When you schedule regular service for your HVAC system, they will clean all the components, dust, dirt, mold, etc. that may have gotten into your HVAC system. A professional HVAC service can ensure that your system is operating efficiently and not contributing to indoor air pollution.
An HVAC service also helps to prolong the lifespan of your HVAC system, and keep it running efficiently. We recommend that you have your HVAC system serviced at least once a year. This will ensure it’s clean, running properly, and keeping the air in your home fresh!
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Install An Air Purification System
Where air filters catch airborne irritants as they pass through, air purification systems actively clean the air. Air purifiers are designed to remove contaminants from the air in a room or entire home. These devices can be particularly beneficial for individuals with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions.
Come air purifiers work by drawing in polluted air, filtering out particles, and circulating clean air back into the room. There are others that send little cleaning particles into that air that attack the airborne bacteria and allergens. Some air purifiers use HEPA filters, while others may use activated carbon, ultraviolet light, or ionization to clean the air.
When selecting an air purifier, consider the size of the area you want to purify, the specific pollutants you’re targeting, and the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of the device.
Install Humidity Control
Another aspect of healthy air that is only thought about in the summer is humidity. No one likes it when it’s hot and humid in the summer. It makes the air feel heavy, sticky, and hot. Many people don’t realize that humidity also impacts them in the winter too. Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air, and if it’s too low, it can dry the air out, leading to dry skin, more coughs and colds, and breathing problems. It can also damage your furniture or wooden fixtures and instruments.
The ideal indoor humidity level is between 30% and 50%. To manage humidity, consider using dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements and bathrooms, and humidifiers in dry environments, especially during winter months. You can also install humidifiers and dehumidifiers that can be installed right into your HVAC system that can treat the whole home.
Indoor Air Quality Assessments
A good way to learn about the status of your indoor air quality is by having an IAQ assessment performed. This can inform you about the specific pollutants present in your home, and help a contractor to make the right recommendations.
Improving indoor air quality doesn’t exactly happen overnight. It’s a process of assessing the air quality, and figuring out what to do to improve it. Doing some of the things we outlined like changing the air filters, scheduling regular HVAC maintenance, installing air purification systems, and controlling humidity are all steps in the right direction. If you are looking for an indoor air quality expert in Abingdon, VA, give us a call at (276) 690-9222!