How to Filter and Clean Indoor Air to Keep You Healthy
Almost all the air pollution indoors is caused by things within the house such as your gas stove or furniture. These things release gas and other debris into the air. Day-to-day living inside the home and pets can also cause indoor issues such as mold, dander, and dust. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are also a major polluter. Here are some tips for improving indoor air quality.
Checking the ventilation
Air exchange and ventilation within a house are key components of your HVAC or Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system. They are extremely useful for maintaining clean air inside a home. You must monitor the ventilation in your home, and be sure to check for mold. Inspect the vents outside the home. They need to be open and also keep the return air vents clean. These vents within the house are also significant for improving the air quality of your home. It is a good idea to have an exhaust fan inside the kitchen. If the kitchen doesn’t have an exhaust fan, just open a window while cooking. Using exhaust fans in the kitchen is particularly significant when you are cooking by using a gas stove. Stoves and heaters that burn fuel also release carbon monoxide which can make you sick.
It is also a good idea to open the window slightly while you are using a gas heater. Keep the fireplace flue open if you have a wood-burning fireplace. When you have a wood-burning fireplace you will have flue accumulated within your chimney. The chimney is the duct that releases gas and smoke from the fireplace outside your home. If you fail to open it, this smoke will engulf and pollute the living area of your house. Almost all the air conditioners these days have a digital thermostat for regulating the temperatures and an air filter for filtering out the debris and dust.
Controlling the moisture
Excessive moisture within the house can lead to the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria, and bugs. They can be caused by moist vapor such as water-damaged areas, steam, and standing water. For keeping the bathroom air clean, use your bathroom exhaust fan that can eliminate the contaminants from the bathrooms. The kitchen exhaust fan can also pull out the humidity caused by cooking and washing.
When you are living in humid areas you can use a dehumidifier to get rid of excessive moisture. Your dryer vent must be vented outside for moving heat, chemicals, and moisture outside. In case your home was damaged by flood water or other water problems just fix the issues. In case the dryer is unvented or is not working properly you will have particles and moisture within your laundry area. In case the dryer is gas-fired it might even release carbon monoxide when it is not properly vented.
Beware of VOCs
VOCs are toxic vapors that are off-gassed from man-made materials, and everyday household items. VOCs cause poor indoor air quality. Exposure to VOCs can leave you feeling sick without explanation or a known cause. They can be very dangerous to your health and can be toxic. Unfortunately, VOCs are found in many places, including new carpeting, bedding, and furniture; composite wood products, like cabinets and flooring; paint; copiers and printers; adhesives, personal care products, vinyl shower curtains or tile; scented candles; cleaning and disinfecting chemicals, air fresheners, laundry detergents – the list just goes on. Proper ventilation and the use of low- or no-VOC emitting products will help ease the potential side effects of these toxic gases.
Do not smoke indoors
Smoking and the secondary smoke caused by smoking are both hazardous for your health. Smoking cigarettes releases several harmful chemicals that are capable of making you sick. Adults and children that are exposed to this secondary smoke have greater chances of being affected by heart diseases. Even the kids are likely to receive lung infections, ear infections, aggravated allergies, and asthma. Yet, your home can have clean air even if you are a smoker. You can either quit smoking or smoke outside the home. Make it a point to smoke outside even when the weather is wet, cold, or uncomfortable. While smoking outside, ensure that all the windows and doors to the house are closed and the smoke will not make its way back inside the living area.
Growing air purifying plants
Houseplants are great for cleaning the air in your home. They can remove VOCs, which irritate eyes and skin or make it hard to breathe due to their build-up potential on carpets and fabrics. English ivy is a popular choice because its leaves naturally scrub away dirt from surfaces while removing these noxious molecules at the same time! When growing indoor plants, you might have to use LED grow lights as a source of light in spaces where sunlight is missing. These grow lights will help your plants grow fast and healthy.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that maintenance of your systems, vents, and filters together with the use of good practices are significant for maintaining clean air inside the house. If you suspect mold or VOCs are causing an issue, hire an independent environmental testing company – one that does not also remediate, as this is a clear conflict of interest. It is a good idea to get a licensed HVAC contractor to inspect the existing systems and ensure that you are on the right track and taking the right steps. If you are unable to fix the problems immediately, try to get rid of the damaged instruments. Allowing the damaged instruments to sit in the home can lead to bacteria and mold growth, among other things, and this can make you and your family sick.
