Boost Indoor Air Quality and Reduce Allergens in Your Home
Autumn— It finally feels like it’s here in Maryland. Whether it’s the much needed relief from summer heat brought about by crisp, cool mornings; cozy seasonal scents, crunchy leaves, crockpot meals, or snuggly sweaters; everyone has something they love about the fall season.
For many, autumn is a time of cleansing and restoration. It’s a time to shift gears and slow down after the hustle and bustle of summer. Many of us may find ourselves opening up our windows and airing out our homes for the first time since spring, and focusing a bit more on decluttering and cleaning our homes in preparation for the upcoming holidays.
Before closing all your windows and sealing your home up for the winter season, set aside some time this fall to focus on boosting your home’s air quality (IAQ). Over time, allergens and debris such as dust mites, pet dander, chemicals, pesticides, bacteria, and mold spores can accumulate in your home and cause discomfort for family members- especially those with allergen sensitivities and respiratory conditions such as asthma.
With that being said, we’ve compiled a list of 5 Ways To Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home. By following these simple tips, you can greatly improve the air quality of your home, and protect your family from allergen and respiratory-related flare-ups.
1. Change Your Air Filters
Did you know you should be swapping out your heating or cooling system’s air filters at least every 3 months? Your home system uses air filters to trap airborne pollutants. If your filters aren’t changed on a regular basis, they will eventually become clogged. This will not only effect the performance of your system and cause unnecessary strain, but also will prevent your system from trapping and reducing indoor air pollutants. Air-blasted dust, dander, and debris? No thanks!
Aside from changing your air filters, a great way to ensure your system is emitting clean, fresh air, is by scheduling a preventative maintenance visit with your trusted local HVAC contractor. This will ensure your system is operating at it’s best for the winter season, and also pin point any potential red flags that could be negatively impacting indoor air quality.
2. Ditch Those Chemicals
What hazardous chemical-laden cleaning products are lurking under your kitchen sink? Over time, toxic residue from chemical cleaners and artificial fragrances can build up in your home and cause trouble, especially if inhaled. One of the easiest ways to improve your home’s air quality is by ditching those harsh scents and chemicals and replacing them with more natural, fragrance-free or naturally-scented alternatives. There are plenty of great natural cleaning products available that can perform just as well, if not better, than their toxic counterparts.
You’d be surprised at just how much you can clean with just baking soda, lemons, and some vinegar. Check out this helpful post by The Spruce on DIY cleaners for further inspiration and recipes.
3. Invest in an Whole-Home Air Purifier
Air cleaners and air purifiers use modern technology to supply your home with healthier, cleaner air. Whole-home air cleaners have the ability to remove up to 99.9% of airborn particles, including harmful bacteria and allergens. These are permanent systems that are installed to work in tandem with your existing HVAC system. Luckily when it comes to whole-home air purifiers, there is a such wide variety of options available, that you can pretty much incorporate them into any kind of existing heating or cooling system.
Chesapeake Comfort Systems offers a variety of air quality services and products, and is here to help with your air quality needs. Our professional service technicians will evaluate your system to determine which type of air purifier is the best match for your home and budget.
4. Put A Plant On It
One of the easiest ways to improve your indoor air quality is by incorporating more houseplants into your home. According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, there are many plants that have proven to be especially effective at filtering out harmful chemicals such as benzene, xylene, formaldehyde, and ammonia.
Some of the most popular air cleaning houseplants include pothos, peace lilies, philodendrons, chrysanthemums and bamboo palms.
5. Keep An Eye On Humidity Levels
Maryland residents are all too familiar with uncomfortably high humidity. Not only is high humidity uncomfortable, but it can be dangerous when it comes to indoor air quality because allergens such as dust mites and mold thrive in it.
Keeping home humidity levels around 30%-50% helps keep them and other allergens under control. One of the best ways to control indoor humidity is with a whole-home humidity control system. This can be either in the form of a whole-home humidifier, or a whole-home dehumidifier. A whole-home system will help keep your home’s humidity at healthy levels all throughout the year. The benefits of installing a whole-home system versus portable units, is that they control humidity in every room, and they require less maintenance than a portable system — no need to fill or empty buckets of water!
If you’re thinking about installing a humidity control system in your home, be sure to reach out to a trusted local HVAC contractor. They will evaluate your home to determine which type of system will be the best solution for your individual needs and budget, and offer their professional tips and guidance along the way.
Worried about the cost? Seek out an HVAC contractor such as Chesapeake Comfort Systems that offers flexible payment plans. If you choose CCS for your next system installation, you may even qualify for 0% APR financing!
Live in the Chesapeake Bay Area? We’re Here to Help.
Whether it’s performing a preventative maintenance visit to boost indoor air quality, or installing a whole-home air quality system such as an air purification system or a humidity control system, you can count on Chesapeake Comfort Systems to perform HVAC service with the very best quality and value around. We know how stressful heating and cooling-related issues can be, and we’re here for you every step of the way.
From our kind and caring office staff to our professional technicians with years of HVAC expertise, Chesapeake Comfort Systems is a clear choice for your heating and cooling service needs.
If your home is located in one of our many Service Areas, then Contact Us today to schedule a service visit.