When you think of air pollution, what pops into your mind? A giant smoke stack? Cars spewing exhaust? A trash incinerator? Chances are you may not have considered your own home is full of air pollution. According to the EPA (U.S. Environmental Agency), you may be exposed to two to five times more airborne pollutants by staying indoors than if you were outside. To protect yourself and your loved ones, here are four ways you can improve your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ):
1. Prohibit Cigarette Smoking Indoors
Cigarette smoking, as we all are aware, is unhealthy for people. It’s also unhealthy for your house. Smoking inside produces secondhand smoke. It also produces thirdhand smoke, where the molecules seep into clothes, curtains, furniture, ceilings, and other items. Thirdhand smoke can still trigger adverse health effects, like asthma, allergies, migraines, and more. The permanent damage can significantly lower your home value on top of reducing the air quality. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, just go outside.
2. Use Fans/Dehumidifiers
Areas in your home harboring moisture are bad for your air quality. Why? Because mold and mildew love these areas. If you or a loved one has allergies/asthma, you could be in for a lot of trouble. To prevent this, run fans in the bathrooms and kitchen. This keeps the area dry and dissuades mold growth. If your basement often gets damp, our A&E Heating and Air professionals recommend purchasing a dehumidifier.
3. Tidy Up
Dust is a major contributor to indoor air pollution. Be sure to sweep, vacuum, and mop regularly to keep dust at bay. Doormats are a great way to prevent excess debris from getting in. Always vacuum the doormat you keep inside. Also, vacuums with disposable bags are better for dust reduction than reusable ones.
4. Replace Filters
Your HVAC system has an air filter, and you should replace it continually, based on your manufacturer’s recommendations. If you haven’t been following our first recommendation, you should check your filter right now. Cigarette smoke dirties/clogs filters much faster than normal.
For more recommendations, call A&E Heating and Air at 541-645-8188. We’re pleased to provide both heating and cooling to the Hood River, OR, area. In addition to providing comfort, our systems will improve your air quality when properly maintained.
