3 Easy Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality in the New Year
Indoor air quality, or IAQ for short, measures the level of airborne pollutants in a given space. The higher the concentration of pollutants (and the more dangerous those pollutants are), the worse the indoor air quality is. Poor indoor air quality can lead to many negative health consequences, from minor allergy-like symptoms to long-term illnesses like respiratory disease and cancer - so homeowners need to do everything they can to maintain high IAQ in their homes.
In an average household, everyday pollutants like dust, dander, pollen, bacteria, smoke, and volatile organic compounds (found in various household products) can reach surprisingly high concentrations. Fortunately, homeowners can take steps to improve their home’s air quality, and this article will lay out three effective methods for doing so.
Replace Air Filters Every 3 Months (At Least)
The first way to help improve indoor air quality is to replace the HVAC system’s air filters on time. Most homes are designed to keep indoor air inside the house for maximum comfort and efficiency, but this means that airborne contaminants can accumulate rather than be ventilated. The air filter helps solve this problem by capturing as many of those contaminants as possible.
But if the filter isn’t changed often enough, the filter media will become clogged with those pollutants. As a result, the HVAC system won’t be able to circulate air properly, and more pollutants won’t get captured. So how often should the air filter be changed?
For the average home, every three months should be enough to maximize the filter’s use without letting it get too dirty. But other factors may necessitate more frequent filter changes. These factors include how many pets there are in the house, how much dirt or dust tends to get tracked in (a big factor in ranch-style homes and rural areas), and whether anyone in the household smokes or has respiratory sensitives (allergies, asthma, etc.). Depending on these factors, homeowners may want to replace air filters every 1-3 months based on their specific situation to improve their indoor air quality.
Utilize an Air Purifier or Sanitizer
Another way to improve indoor air quality is to invest in an air purifier or air sanitizer. Air purifiers are a bit like beefed-up versions of air filters. Using a HEPA (high-efficiency particle air) filter, charcoal filter, or other filtration mediums, air purifiers remove particles like dust and pollen from the air. They come in portable units that can be moved from room to room and larger units integrated into the HVAC system that simultaneously serve multiple rooms or the whole house.
Air sanitizers are a bit different. These typically use UV light to neutralize smaller pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, and mold spores, rendering them inert. The most effective air sanitizers are the whole-home units installed in the home’s ductwork and integrated into the HVAC system.
Both air purifiers and sanitizers can help improve IAQ by reducing the volume of harmful pollutants in the air, eliminating unpleasant odors, keeping particles from accumulating inside the HVAC unit, alleviating symptoms of asthma and allergies, and stopping the spread of germs and viruses.
Stay On Top of Household Cleaning
Last but not least, homeowners can help maintain high indoor air quality simply by keeping the house clean. Regularly dusting, sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming the house will help reduce the overall volume of dust and debris that can be kicked up into the air. This will also help keep the air filters clean longer, as fewer particles will be pulled into the filter.
It’s important to include surfaces and areas that don’t typically get cleaned in the weekly or bi-weekly cleaning routine, such as curtains, upholstery, and the tops of ceiling fans - these are prime real estate for dust mites and bacteria. It’s also a good idea to open a few windows occasionally to help ventilate the house and bring in some fresh air.
Of course, if homeowners have questions about the frequency of air filter changes, what kind of filters to use, or what kind of air purification system is best for their home, they should consult with their local heating and cooling company!
About Swick Home Services
Swick Home Services has more than 40 years of local expertise serving Marquette, MI, and the surrounding areas. They provide a price match guarantee, flat rate pricing, and 24/7 support. Call them today for filter replacement or indoor air quality services in Marquette, MI.
