How Can I Raise My Indoor Air Quality?
Did you know that indoor air pollution is a bigger threat to your health than outdoor air pollution? Between the accumulation of dust, allergens, mold, VOCs, poor decisions (like smoking inside), and the simple fact that we spend roughly half of our days inside of our homes – poor indoor air quality can begin to take a toll on your health. Fortunately, there are ways to raise your home’s indoor air quality.
Quit Using Chemicals
Filling your home with hazardous chemicals will obviously lower air quality, but you wouldn’t do that, would you? Unfortunately, many people will unknowingly fill their homes with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can cause serious respiratory problems. Paints, paint thinners, aerosol sprays, household cleaners, etc. all contain VOCs and it’s best to look for non-VOC alternatives. As an added tip, if you refuse to quit smoking at least quit smoking inside of your home – but you already knew that, right?
Upgrade Your Air
Maintaining your HVAC system is important, which is why you need to be replacing the air filters on a monthly basis. You should also consider upgrading these filters to ones with a higher MERV rating to catch finer particles in the air. Additionally, you should research electronic air cleaners that can be installed onto your HVAC system, leaving the air in your home purified of any bacteria and contaminants while also deodorizing any lingering odors.
Disinfect The Ducts
The ductwork in your home is used to transport air from the cooling and heating units to the air registers. Dust, dirt, allergens, bacteria, mold, and other particles can accumulate on the surfaces of the ductwork which will inevitably come into contact with the air being pushed through the system. The best way to remove all of these contaminants and particles is to have your ductwork professionally cleaned and disinfected.
Improving your home’s indoor air quality isn’t something many people actively try and do, but it should be if you wish to breathe easy each day. When your ductwork needs cleaning or you would like to learn more about our “Air Scrubber“, contact Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (717) 207-8198.
