The air in your home can be contaminated with irritants like mold, dust, VOCs, pollen, and pet dander. Given that the average American spends more than half their life indoors, it’s important to improve indoor air quality. Common indoor air pollutants have various sources, including tobacco products, moisture, household cleaning products, building materials and furnishings, and fuel-burning appliances. Here are tips on how to improve air quality in your home.
Change the HVAC Filters to Improve Indoor Air Quality
HVAC filters capture some airborne particles, but they do not remove every pollutant. Filtration is one part of improving indoor air quality, along with reducing pollution sources and appropriate ventilation.
Check filters regularly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for fit, replacement timing and the filter types your system can accommodate. If you are unsure which filter to use, ask a qualified HVAC technician. The EPA’s guide to air cleaners explains filter selection and maintenance.
Control Humidity
High humidity in your home contributes to a suitable environment for mold and mildew growth. These can trigger allergies and asthma attacks. Humidity that is too low leads to irritation of the skin, eyes, and nose. Indoor humidity should be at around 30-50%.
A dehumidifier will reduce the amount of moisture in your home. Especially in warmer months, this will be helpful in slowing the growth of mold in your home. You can also use a humidifier to increase the level of humidity in your home.
Turn on ventilation fans when cooking and showering to improve circulation and help prevent condensation from becoming a problem.
Use the Range Hood Fan
Cooking can release particles and gases into indoor air. Use a range hood while cooking, preferably one that exhausts outdoors. Open windows only when outdoor air quality, weather and safety permit. See EPA’s cooking-ventilation guidance. Ventilation is not a substitute for properly installed carbon monoxide alarms or safe appliance operation. If a CO alarm sounds, go outside immediately, call 911 and do not re-enter until emergency responders say it is safe. See CPSC’s carbon monoxide guidance.
Keep the Carpets Clean to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Rugs and carpets trap dust and other air pollutants in their fibers. Cleaning your rugs and carpets regularly is an important step in improving air quality in your home. At least twice every week, vacuum carpeted rooms and rugs throughout the house. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap more contaminants as you clean.
Reducing pollutant sources, maintaining equipment and managing moisture can help improve indoor air quality, but no maintenance checklist guarantees symptom relief. If you have ongoing allergy, asthma or other health concerns, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
TMK Inspections provides home inspections to customers in Southeast Pennsylvania. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to schedule an appointment.