How To Improve Your Home's Indoor Air Quality

Written on: April 8, 2020

With most of us spending a lot more time at home than expected this spring – and our family’s health being top of mind for all of us, for obvious reasons – indoor air quality has become a hot topic these days.
The question is, how can you keep your air quality as high as possible in the weeks ahead without making radical changes to your home?

Here are some suggestions for keeping your home air clean:

• Remove unused chemicals – The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in common home improvement products such as paint, varnish and solvents, can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment. The bad news is that VOCs can escape into the air even from sealed containers. Keep them out of your living space – preferable stored in a shed or detached garage.
• Ventilate – Improper ventilation is one of the main contributors to poor indoor air quality. Opening windows on days when air quality is good can make a big difference in your indoor air.
• Use exhaust fans – Studies have found that using a range hood decreases the amount of harmful particles released from cooking. In the bathroom, use the exhaust fan when you shower to prevent mold growth from excessive surface moisture.
• Check your air filters regularly – The air filters in your central air conditioner or heating system are designed to trap allergens and other particles from your indoor air and prevent them from circulating throughout your house, but a clogged air filter won’t be able to do that job. Check your air filters regularly, replacing them when necessary.
• Vacuum regularly – Dust and other particles are major contributors to poor air quality. Vacuum twice per week, preferably with a HEPA filter, to keep dust to a minimum.
• Dump chemical “fresheners” – Artificial fragrances in air fresheners, most commercial cleaning products, candles, and personal products are filled with VOCs and other toxins that can aggravate allergies and asthma symptoms. Use essential oils, baking soda, and other natural alternatives to keep odors at bay.
• Replace toxic cleaners – Everyday household cleaning supplies contain VOCs and other harmful chemicals. Vinegar, baking soda, lemon, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide are other products can be used instead.
• Groom your pets – Fur and dander are major indoor air irritants, so keep your pets well groomed. Just be sure to do that grooming outside your home!
• Ban shoes indoors – Dust, pollen, mold, pesticides, and residues from pavement or other surfaces treated with chemicals all enter your home via your footwear. Remove shoes at the door to avoid spreading these pollutants throughout your home.
• Don’t light up – Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, about 70 of which can cause cancer. Never smoke in or near your home.  If you must smoke, stay at least 25 feet from your house to keep the smoke from finding its way indoors.

Want another way to improve indoor air quality in your Pennsylvania home? Get professional HVAC service from a qualified heating or cooling specialist like the ones you will find at Ace-Robbins. Contact us today to learn more, or to schedule heating and air conditioning service in Tunkhannock, PA.
Please note: At Ace-Robbins your safety and comfort are always our priority. Please see our Covid-19 Service Update Page to learn more about how we are working to keep our your family and our crews safe and your home cooling and heating systems working through this challenging time.