It’s National Clean Air Month! That means it’s the perfect moment for our Chillicothe Heating & Cooling team to highlight how crucial good indoor air quality (IAQ) is. Did you know that the air inside a home can be up to five times more polluted than outside? It’s because the same air keeps getting recycled in your home without the right filtering or getting fresh air. Improving the air quality inside your home is super important, especially since that’s where you spend most of your time. Keep reading to discover the dos and don’ts for keeping your indoor air top-notch.
The Following Are Some Things That Can Lower Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality:
(Bear in mind that this list includes but is not limited to these things.)
- Dust
- Germs
- Viruses
- Mold and mildew
- Pet smells and pet dander
- Tobacco smoke
- Cooking odors
- Airborne chemicals
- Allergens
1. Stop Forgetting to Change Your Air Filters
With so many things on our plates, it’s pretty easy to let some tasks slip, right? But here’s one you really shouldn’t forget – swapping out your air filters on time. Those air filters are super important for keeping the air in your home sweet home clean. They nab dust, dirt, pollen, and all that not-so-great airborne particles that really shouldn’t be breathing in. So, if they get too clogged, they can’t catch new particles as well, which means they’re not doing their job.
Instead:
You should swap out your air filters for a new one every 1-2 months. This will set your system up for success and help it to keep things running efficiently.
2. Stop Letting Odors Accumulate
Odor is totally normal; it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Whether it’s from cooking, pets, or just stuff we done around the house, smells can pile up fast and make your place feel stuffy – not to mention messing with your indoor air quality. Plus, some smells can actually be bad for your health, especially if they come from harsh cleaning products – not exactly the best stuff to be breathing in.
Instead:
To combat odors and stuffy air, consider installing a whole-home air purifier. It’s a great option as it gets installed to work in conjunction with your HVAC system, making it an easy one-and-done task that will bring your home cleaner air. The iWave-R is one that we highly suggest looking into. It uses some innovative patented tech to clean the air, getting rid of odors and nasty particles. The best part? It self-cleans, so you hardly have to worry about maintenance. Ultimately, you can boost your air quality with minimal effort.
OR
Another cool option to consider is adding UV lights. They’re cleverly set up inside your air ducts to zap airborne pathogens before they get a chance to move around your home. Plus, on the bright side (pun totally intended), you only have to swap out these UV bulbs every 2-3 years, also making them super convenient to use.
3. Stop Letting Moisture Build Up
Excessive moisture in your home is not good for you to constantly be breathing in. It also messes with your home by becoming a perfect place for mold and mildew to thrive in. So, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for tell-tale signs of oncoming mold, like water stains on the ceiling or walls, a musty smell, or condensation on windows.
Instead:
If your place feels more like a jungle because of the humidity, it’s time to think about getting a whole-home dehumidifier. It works together with your HVAC system to get rid of that extra moisture in the air, which will boost your home’s IAQ, making your home a healthier and more tranquil space to reside in.
A happy, healthy home begins with clean and well-looked-after air! You can achieve higher indoor air quality when you know what points need to be addressed. Still unsure and have some questions? No problem! Give us a call and we’d be happy to assess your home’s IAQ needs with you. Even more so, we’d feel honored to be a part of your air quality journey!
Call Chillicothe Heating & Cooling today at (740) 281-2186, or click here to schedule an appointment now!