Air quality has an effect on everyone’s health. Improve indoor air quality in your home to boost the well-being of all your family members.
Clean Floors to Improve Indoor Air Quality
When people walk on floors, dust and other particles get kicked up into the air. This is why clean floors help improve indoor air quality. Vacuum or mop floors weekly, depending on what time of flooring material it is. Steam mops are especially effective on certain types of surfaces for eliminating dust and sanitizing floors. If you have carpet or rugs in your home, invest in a high-quality HEPA-filter vacuum.
Change HVAC Filters Regularly
HVAC filters clean conditioned air from the HVAC system before it is distributed into the house. They remove dust, pet dander, smoke particles, pollen, and other allergens and contaminants. Different HVAC models require different types of filters and need to have them replaced at different increments of time. Refer to the manual to learn what type of filter to use and how often to change it. Generally, filters that are thicker need to be changed more often than thinner ones.
Keep the House Dry and Mold-Free
Mold affects indoor air quality because mold spores become airborne. Mold spores cause allergies and even worse health problems when breathed. The first line of defense against mold is keeping the home dry. Mold can only grow in damp conditions. Lower humidity with a dehumidifier and fix problems resulting in moisture, like plumbing leaks. If mold has already started to grow, clean it up with bleach or hire professional mold mitigators.
Give Houseplants Proper Care
A NASA study linked certain types of plants to better indoor air quality because they filter toxins out of the air. While there are benefits of keeping houseplants to clean air, there are also drawbacks. Overwatered houseplants tend to grow mold in the soil, which introduces mold spores to the air. If you choose to keep houseplants, pick species that are natural air filters and be careful not to water them too much. Most plants like the soil to dry out between waterings.
When in Doubt, Use an Air Purifier to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Air purifiers are effective devices for removing a high percentage of all airborne pollutants from indoor air. They vary based on the square footage they treat and how fine and layered the filter is. HEPA air purifiers remove the most contaminants. Purchase several for different areas of your home, like bedrooms and living rooms.
Appalachian Home Inspection Inc. offers inspection services to customers in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. Contact us to request an appointment.