If you’re concerned about the air quality in your home, you may be wondering how to improve it. Fortunately, you can control indoor air quality without spending much money or time. The first step is identifying pollution sources and ensuring the ventilation system operates correctly. This will help you make informed decisions about corrective actions.
Increase Ventilation
Poor indoor air quality can cause various health problems, including headaches, irritability, and coughing. It can also reduce work productivity and raise worker absences. Air conditioning alone can’t improve indoor air quality, as it does not remove odors, smoke, dust, bacteria, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants. A more sophisticated ventilation system is needed to control these indoor contaminants and maintain acceptable air quality. Mechanical ventilation systems can remove impurities and increase airflow for better indoor air quality. These systems use home design, HVAC systems, and whole-house fans to create a ventilation solution appropriate for your home’s conditions. For example, if you live in a cold winter climate, your heating system must run at high ventilation rates to provide good indoor air quality. However, this will also increase the energy demand in your home. So, the correct ventilation rate depends on your energy budget and comfort needs.
Switch to a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier can reduce indoor humidity and improve air quality. This is important for both your health and your home. According to the EPA, the ideal humidity level for your home is between 30% and 50%. Too much moisture can cause dust mites, mold, and mildew to grow. These organisms can trigger allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, nose, and throat, and asthma attacks. Humidity can also affect your Air conditioning installation system. When too much moisture is in the air, your AC must work harder to bring the temperature to your desired settings. This can increase your energy bills. A good dehumidifier can keep humidity levels in check, which helps your air conditioning system run more efficiently and save you money on your energy bill. Plus, it can help protect your furniture, rugs, and curtains from moisture damage.
Install a Humidifier Filter
Keeping your indoor humidity healthy is essential for your health and comfort. Low humidity levels can lead to irritated skin, chapped lips, sore throats, and sinus irritations, among other problems. Fortunately, a whole-house humidifier can help you keep your indoor humidity at a comfortable level all year. It can also help increase your energy efficiency by reducing air conditioning costs. Humidifiers store moisture in a water pad or evaporator panel filter, allowing furnace air to pass through. If the filter is clogged, it can prevent the humidifier from functioning correctly. It is essential to change your filter regularly to maximize the performance of your unit. This can be done by an HVAC professional during your regular furnace tune-ups.
Add a UV Light
If you’re looking for a quick and straightforward way to improve your home’s indoor air quality, adding a UV light to your HVAC system is an effective solution. Designed to be installed inside your heating and cooling ductwork, these UV lights emit an intense light that destroys and sterilizes bacteria, mold, and other germs as they circulate. UV light also helps sanitize surfaces by killing the DNA of any microorganism that may come into contact with the character, preventing them from growing and multiplying. This can help you keep your home safe and healthy for your family, especially if they suffer from allergies or asthma. Although these air cleaning products require upfront costs and annual maintenance, they can help reduce the spread of illness and allergy symptoms in your home. In addition, they reduce VOCs in your air that can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, fatigue, and other health issues.