4 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality This Season

In order for the occupants of any home or business to be comfortable and healthy, indoor air quality is extremely important. As the weather warms and folks start opening up for the season, there are a few simple things that can be done to improve indoor air quality this season.

1. Keep Humidity Levels in Check

Indoor humidity should be kept between 30% and 50% to keep mold, dust mites, and other allergens under control. Using a dehumidifier helps reduce moisture indoors, and during the summer months, an air conditioner can help reduce the pollen count. Other tips for controlling indoor humidity levels include running kitchen and bathroom fans, cleaning up condensation quickly, and promptly emptying the drip fans in your dehumidifiers and window air conditioners.

2. Build with the Right Materials

Planning a spring or summer home renovation? Choose building materials and furnishings that will help reduce the indoor air pollutants hanging around in your home. For example, choosing hard-surface flooring over carpeting makes cleaning easier and reduced the amount of trapped dirt and dust. You can also install blinds over curtains, which will trap and hold less dust. Finally, when painting, consider buying low-VOC paint (volatile organic compounds contribute to ozone and smog formation and are also linked to respiratory illnesses).

3. Refresh Your Filters

Keep on top of the filters in your heating/cooling systems. Make sure that they are all in place, that they fit properly, and that you replace them regularly. You could also consider adding additional mechanical air cleaning systems to your setup, like electrostatic filters, that can trap even more particles.

4. Keep it Simple

There are a few simple, common-sense things you can do that will have an impact on your indoor air quality:

• Remove shoes at the door to avoid tracking dirt into the house to get picked up into the air.
• Wash bedding and other large fabric items regularly.
• Don’t smoke.
• Dust regularly, and consider using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter for an even more effective dust trapper.
• Keep houseplants, but be sure not to overwater them or you may raise the humidity levels.

One of the most important parts of maintaining good indoor air quality is having a fully functioning and properly maintained HVAC system. If you have any questions about your system, contact the experts at Avonda Air today.