It’s summertime, so you probably spend more time indoors to escape the heat. But have you considered the quality of the air you are breathing? It’s estimated that the average person takes 20,000 breaths daily -just what are you breathing in? Let Chatham Comfort Controls guide you on how to purify your home’s air for healthier breathing.

Source Control

Your first and most crucial step is source control. What source control means is for you to locate the source of whatever happens to be polluting the air in your home. Insufficient ventilation and high temperature and humidity levels can exacerbate these pollution sources. Some sources include:

• Fuel-burning combustion appliances (i.e., stoves, grills, water heaters, etc.)
• Tobacco products
• Building materials and furnishings include but are not limited to insulation lined with asbestos, newly-installed flooring or carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products.
• Products for household cleaning and maintenance
• Central heating and cooling systems and humidifiers
• Excess moisture
• Radon
• Lead
• Pesticides
• Mold and mildew
• Outdoor pollution infiltrating your home

In most cases, you can do something about the source of pollutants. Adjusting appliances, cleaning HVAC systems, and removing pollution-causing devices like vapes and air fresheners is the simplest and most cost-effective solution. However, sometimes you may not be able to discover the source of the pollution, or it may not be removable. In these cases, you have other options.

Maintain a Clean Home

One of the best ways to improve air quality is simply keeping your home clean. Dust, dirt, and other debris can contribute to poor air quality, so regular cleaning is essential. Be sure to dust surfaces often and vacuum carpets regularly.

Change your AC Filter (and other filters)

Cleaning or replacing your air conditioner filter is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve indoor air quality. A dirty air conditioner filter can restrict airflow and cause your system to work harder, wasting energy and costing you money. It can also lead to a buildup of dust, dirt, pollen, and other allergens in your HVAC system, which causes allergens to be pumped directly into your home.

In addition to your AC filter, check and clean other filters in your home, such as those in your furnace, humidifier, and air purifier. Depending on the type of filter, you may need to replace it every few months or so.

Check Your Air Ducts

Another way to improve indoor air quality is to ensure your air ducts are clean and free of debris. Over time, dust, dirt, pollen, and other allergens can build up in your air ducts, which can cause them to be released into your home every time your furnace or AC kicks on. This pollution can aggravate allergies and respiratory conditions.

You can clean your air ducts yourself with a brush and vacuum, or you can hire a professional to do it for you. Either way, ensuring they’re clean and free of debris is essential to improve indoor air quality.

Improve Ventilation

There are many ways you can improve ventilation in your home to promote good air quality. Your existing air conditioning system probably does not mechanically pump fresh air into your home. That means you have to do it yourself. You can accomplish this by opening doors and windows, running window and ceiling fans, and running a window air conditioner with the vent control open. Just make sure you turn your HVAC system off, so you don’t waste energy and that the air you’re letting in doesn’t have more pollutants.

Certain Activities Produce Air Pollution

You probably think of air pollution as the result of vehicles causing smog and large power plants. While these are sources of air pollution, you can also pollute the air inside your home with certain activities. Painting or paint stripping, heating with kerosene, welding, soldering, sanding, and even cooking all produce air pollution. If possible, you should perform these activities outside.

When cooking, it’s essential to use your stove’s vent to remove fumes and odors from your home. If you don’t have a vent, open a window to let the fumes out. Make sure to use vents in other moisture-heavy areas of your home, like your bathroom and laundry room. This precaution will prevent the build-up of moisture, which affects air quality and attracts mold.

Keep Rugs and Carpets Clean

Rugs and carpets can hold on to a lot of dirt, dust, and pollen. If possible, vacuum them regularly with a HEPA filter to remove these particles from your home. You can also shampoo them periodically to deep clean them and eliminate any trapped dirt. If you have allergies, consider replacing carpets with hardwood floors that won’t trap pollutants.

Control Humidity Levels

High humidity levels can lead to the growth of mold and dust mites, both of which can cause respiratory problems. Use a dehumidifier in your home to keep moisture levels in check and help improve air quality. You should also ensure to ventilate your home regularly to allow fresh air and prevent stagnant air from building up.

Hire Service Now! Chatham Comfort Controls

Chatham Comfort Controls has over 15 years of experience in heating and cooling in the Chicagoland area. We are a family-owned and operated business specializing in all things HVAC, boilers, and furnaces for residential and commercial buildings. Our certified technicians can assist you with any problem you might encounter, and they will also help you with preventive maintenance. So don’t suffer from poor indoor air quality any longer. Call Chatham Comfort Controls today!