How to Improve the Quality of the Air Inside Your Home

Pollution is a common issue in every region, especially large cities and places near industrial areas and highways. While outdoor pollution is measured and tackled by local authorities, there is a lot you can do to improve the quality of air in your homes. Research shows that indoor air can be twice as polluted as outdoor air. So, we definitely need to keep a check on indoor pollution in order to keep family members safe and healthy.If you are wondering how pollutants get inside your Bay Area home, you need not look too far. All the daily essentials that are used in the house, like cleaning supplies, electronic devices, sprays and paints or air fresheners bring pollutants into your house. Apart from these, dust mites, smoke, pet dander and kitchen emissions are also sources of indoor pollutants.

But why should you improve indoor air quality?

Bad indoor air quality can affect much more than just your breathing. We all know that pollution can cause asthma, coughing, sneezing and respiratory ailments. But as you spend a lot of time indoors, if the air in your house is polluted, it can also cause watery, itchy eyes, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sore throat, skin rashes, nose bleeds, ear infections and in severe cases, even chest pain, muscle pain or fever.

How can you improve indoor air quality?

1. Install correct HVAC filters

Standard air conditioner and furnace filters are rarely able to remove pathogens, microorganisms and other minute pollutants from the air. Standard paper filters are only meant to filter debris that may enter the system.

If you wish to improve air quality and breathe cleaner air around the house, invest in HEPA filters, that last long and can filter more than 99% of pollen dust and smoke along with other kinds of pollutants. But even these filters need to be changed every 3 months.

2. Replace filters in other appliances

Household appliances like vacuum cleaners, clothing dryers and air purifiers also have air filters in them which must be checked and cleaned every now and then. Replace them if they are too dirty or are not meant for long use.

3. Open windows with caution

Opening windows to let in fresh air and to let your house get more ventilation may not always be a good idea. Especially, if you live in a polluted city. It is better to breathe indoor, filtered air which is healthier rather than letting smoke and exhaust fumes into your house.

4. Use cooking and bathroom vents

Always install and use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms, so that any polluted air from these places will be expelled.

5. Get fireplace flues inspected

Leaky flues can cause carbon monoxide to saturate in your homes. This is a poisonous gas and levels in the house must be checked by a professional.

6. Invest in regular cleaning and maintenance of the HVAC system

Adjusting and cleaning of fans, air vents, checking refrigerant leaks and cleaning of coils and drain pans will ensure your system functions smoothly, giving you clean indoor air.