2022
June
Tips to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Tips to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Jun 14


Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Quality: What You Should Know

Did you know that your indoor air quality can be significantly worse than the air quality outside? It’s true! Additionally, outdoor and indoor air quality can suffer in the summer months. With rising temperatures and more people traveling on the roads, we usually see a dip in air quality. Smoke from fires can also create a serious air quality problem. However, it is inside our homes that the air quality suffers the most.

In the summer, we tend to keep our homes closed up so that we can maximize the work our air conditioners are doing. However, doing so keep pollutants, contaminants, and allergens trapped inside. Over time, they can build up, leading to more allergy symptoms, excess dust, and stale odors.

Things that can negatively impact your air quality include:

  • Pollen
  • Pet dander
  • Dust
  • Mold and mildew
  • Bacterias, viruses, and microorganisms
  • Contamination from fuel-burning appliances, like gas stoves

While all HVAC systems have air filters, these become clogged over time, leading to a reduction in not only your air quality but also your air conditioner’s performance. Additionally, if your air quality is really suffering, your air filter may not be enough to combat the pollutants in your air.

Below we offer a few helpful tips for improving your home’s overall air quality.

Replace Your Air Filters More Often

As mentioned above, your air filters need to be changed regularly to ensure that they don’t become clogged. In the summer, when air quality is at its worst, you may find that you need to change your air filters more often. We typically recommend that air filters be changed every three months. However, if you suffer from allergies, have pets, or notice more air quality issues, you may wish to change your air filters monthly during the summer.

Vacuum & Dust More Often

If you have pets or notice an increase in dust in your home, vacuuming and dusting more often can help. Our carpets and upholstered furniture collect a lot of pet hair, dust, pollen, and other allergens. As we walk over them or sit down, you may notice that you start sneezing or your allergies act up. Weekly vacuuming can make a big difference in your indoor air quality. Similarly, cleaning your curtains and other window hangings can also reduce the amount of dust in your air. This typically only needs to be done once a season. If your carpets or curtains can’t be laundered or vacuumed, try taking them outside and beating or shaking them to loosen the trapped dust and dirt.

Always Use Your Stove’s Exhaust Fan

Most ranges have an exhaust fan that helps remove cooking smells and smoke from your kitchen. We recommend you use the fan every time you cook, even if you don’t think you need it. As you cook, particles get released into the air, especially if you have a gas range. This contributes to your indoor air pollution. Running your exhaust fan every time you cook can help mitigate this. It should also help reduce cooking odors from your home.

Let Fresh Air In

Unless there is currently smoke from a fire making the outside air quality worse than inside, you should open up your windows occasionally and let some fresh air into your home. A good time to do this is in the evening, at night, or early in the morning when outside temperatures are still cooler than inside your home. Utilize fans to create cross-ventilation through your home, pulling fresh air in at one window and pushing stale air out at another. Not only will this help refresh your indoor air, reducing musty odors, but you may find that it also helps keep your home cool.

Consider Installing an Air Purification System

If you’ve tried the above tips and still have issues with indoor air quality, you may want to consider installing an air filtration or purification system in your home. These systems are designed to purify the air throughout your home instead of individual room filters that only work in a small area of one room. There are many different types of air purification systems on the market to choose from, depending on your specific needs.

Different types of air filtration and purification systems offered by AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric include:

Before purchasing an air filtration system, you should consult our indoor air quality experts. We will inspect your home, test your air quality, and help you determine which plan best meets your needs and budget. At AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric, our goal is your satisfaction. Whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with the installation, we are here to help.

Send us a message online today to discuss your air purification options.

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