Just because you’re inside your home does not mean that the air you breathe is free of allergens and pollutants. Dust can easily gather in your home and circulate through your HVAC systems. These allergens are the major causes of dry cough and a runny nose. It’s also important to maintain indoor air quality when an asthmatic person is living in your home. With your little ways, here are some pointers you can follow to improve the air quality in your home gradually:
- Improving ventilation – In general, improving ventilation in your home is the best way to improve the air quality in your home. When the weather outside is not harsh, opening windows to let fresh air in is good. However, if your home is next to a road or a factory, it may not be possible since the air outside may already be polluted.
- Use ceiling fans – Ceiling fans also help circulate air in your home and retain a cool breeze without risking a high utility bill. This device is a good choice for households that cannot freely open their windows because of air pollution outside.
- Change HVAC filters regularly – Dust and dirt can get stuck in your filters and accumulate until your HVAC system becomes unsafe for use. Refer to your manufacturer’s instructions for the best time to change your air filters. Ensure you get an air filter the same size as your previous one.
- Update thermostat – A programmable thermostat saves you some money from your utility bill and circulates between using your HVAC system and your indoor fan. You may consider getting a programmable thermostat if you’re still using an analog thermostat.
- Add humidity during winter – Although most HVAC systems have dehumidifier units, adding humidity during the colder months can also help your indoor air quality. It doesn’t matter if it’s a portable or professionally installed humidifier. You wouldn’t want the air to feel dry during the winter.
- Check cooking vents – If you cannot open your kitchen windows or the weather doesn’t allow it, cooking vents must be working before you attempt to cook in your home. Ensuring a fully functional cooking vent can reduce the carbon monoxide in the air when your burners are on. Also, ensure that the vents are clean so there are no obstructions in letting the air outside your kitchen.
- Examine air ducts – The ductwork in your living space is responsible for distributing warm or cool air to all rooms in your home. Although it’s not common to clean out air ducts, it is still important to clean your air ducts from time to time. Ducts not installed or cleaned properly can also distribute allergens from room to room. Hire an HVAC professional to do thorough home heating maintenance for you.
- Get indoor plants – This is one of the safest and most natural ways to improve indoor air quality since plants are natural air filters. Houseplants also provide additional aesthetics to your home. They can pull contaminants from the air, and these plants can also bloom indoors with very little maintenance.
- Run your bathroom exhaust – Even though the sound of running bathroom exhausts is quite loud and annoying, they can greatly help improve your indoor air quality. They can easily replace the air in your home and let your bathroom and the area around it feel less stuffy.
- Schedule maintenance for your HVAC system – You can consult local HVAC specialists for professional heating and air maintenance. Best Brooklyn Heating and AC Repair can handle any HVAC concerns you may have. For singular air conditioning units installed, we also have AC service and maintenance for you.
If you still need help improving your indoor air quality, or the tips mentioned above don’t apply to your location, consult our HVAC specialists at the Best Brooklyn Heating and AC Repair for advice.