Do you suffer from allergies? Have you had problems with dust, mildew or mold? The fact is that many homeowners could be enjoying better indoor air quality. Take these three steps to achieve healthy indoor air in your home.
There are three basic approaches to changing your indoor air quality:
- Remove sources of toxins
- Improve ventilation
- Clean the air
Remove Toxins
The fewer toxins you introduce into your home, the less you will have to worry about. When cleaning, use products that emit the least amount of fumes. For example, vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice will clean most surfaces without damaging them or releasing toxic vapors. This also means sealing properly and getting rid of unused paint, pesticides and other household cleaning solutions. Store anything potentially toxic in a detached storage shed if at all possible, or else just get rid of it.
Improve Ventilation
Once you’ve eliminated the toxins, it’s time to look at your HVAC system. Improper or inadequate ventilation can bring inside many microbes, allergens, and other unwanted and unhealthy particulates. You should your HVAC filter monthly, and change it when it looks dirty or clogged. Use filters with a MERV rating of between 7 and 12 for good air-cleaning ability without impeding system airflow. If you have air leaks in your home’s outer envelope, seal them with caulk, spray foam or weatherstripping. Your ductwork should also be inspected at least once in the spring and the fall. If it’s dirty, have it cleaned, as well as cleaning the blower compartment, cooling coils and drainage components.
Clean the Air
If your ventilation is top-notch and you still suffer, you should consider an electronic air cleaner. These appliances use charged collector plates and electromagnetic attraction to pull airborne pathogens out of the air. A filter catches the larger pollutants, such as dust and human hair. Other contaminants stick to the plates. The filter and plates must be cleaned regularly to ensure proper function.
You cannot put a price on your health. And since the air quality in your home can greatly affect you and your family, having healthy indoor air should be at the top of your maintenance checklist this fall. When you have questions about air quality or other needs related to your home comfort, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We serve Dayton, Springfield and the surrounding areas.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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