Indoor air quality is hugely important to you and your family’s health—especially considering the fact that many of us spend most of our lives indoors. Unfortunately, quality indoor air is not always present. Air always contains a certain amount of dust, which is harmful to people with respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and COPD, as well as those who are allergic to dust mites. Moreover, it contains indoor pollutants, which are harmful particles or gases that can originate from construction materials, paint, cleaning products, radon, and other contaminants.
Another factor that contributes to air quality is humidity. Air with a high humidity level can cause breathing problems. Air that’s low in humidity can also aggravate breathing; plus, it can lead to uncomfortably dry skin.
Knowing this, it’s not surprising that low indoor air quality can have both short- and long-term health effects. In the short term, it can cause asthma attacks, migraines, skin problems, and other issues. Plus, if you’re already sick, it can make you even sicker. In the long term, in addition to being a factor in respiratory conditions and allergies, it can also cause heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
Tips for Quality Indoor Air During the Winter
During the summer, you can simply open windows to ventilate your home and make sure there’s a steady flow of fresh, healthy air entering the space. And if you run the air conditioner, it not only cools the air; it reduces humidity and removes contaminants. But during the winter, it’s too cold to keep your windows open or run the AC. Moreover, the thermostat registers the drop in temperature, so the heating system consumes more energy to heat the space—and that drives up your energy bills. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to maintain quality indoor air while still keeping your home warm:
- Keep your home clean. Dusting, cleaning and vacuuming at least once a week will remove a significant portion of pollutants. For the best results, use microfiber cloths, non-toxic cleaning products, and a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- Use air filters. An air filter removes pollutants by drawing the air through a filter. They’re available in various sizes and capacities for different size rooms.
- Install an air-to-heat exchanger (heat recovery ventilation system). This draws fresh air from outside into the house while simultaneously removing the stale, indoor air. While it’s an investment, an air-to-heat exchanger can be a good investment in your family’s health, especially since you can also use it during the summer.
- Maintain a good humidity level. Maintain a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent in order to keep allergens under control. Use a humidity monitor to keep track of the humidity levels in your home, and if necessary, use a humidifier to add extra moisture to the air.
If you keep these tips in mind, your home will soon become the healthy, comfortable place you want it to be so you can spend quality time with your loved ones all year long!
Call Home Service Doctors to schedule your indoor air quality inspection today!
