5 Ways to Improve the Air Quality of Your Home

Did you know that there are direct connections between your physical well-being and the condition of the air circulated through your home? Help preserve your health by following these simple tips to help keep the air in your home as crisp, clean and healthy as possible:

Clean your air ducts. Have you ever cleaned the surfaces in your home, only to find them covered in dust again soon after? There may be some dust buildup in your air ducts—but that’s not all that’s in there. Pet dander, hair, airborne allergens from plants as well as cigarette and cigar smoke are all likely to accumulate in your ducts over time, which can lead to respiratory health issues if left unattended. If you want to make sure that your system is pumping only clean, breathable air into your home, call in a professional to deep clean and maintain your air ducts. Make sure that you use only a NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaning Association) certified professional.

Go straight to the source. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions.” This doesn’t mean you have to kick Fido to the curb, but you may need to cover or seal gas-burning combustion appliances used for cooking or generating warmth, remove plants that disperse pollen and remove lead-based paints.

Install a HEPA filter. HEPA filters are designed to filter out bugs, dust, lead concentrations, pollen and other allergens and pollutants by pushing air through a very fine screen. They are known to provide some allergy relief and greatly improve the air quality of your home if properly installed and maintained.

Check and balance humidity levels. In those particularly humid areas of the South, it can be tough to strike a healthy, indoor humidity balance. Using appliances such as dishwashers can create more humidity, as can leaky plumbing and standing water of any kind. Air conditioners reduce the humidity in your home during the warmer months of the year, and dehumidifiers are a great way to lower the level of moisture in the air in your house, especially when it is colder.

Just quit. Smoking is toxic to the air quality of your home and the physical health of you and your family members. To keep the 4,000+ chemicals in cigarette smoke from sticking around in your furniture, walls, air vents and lungs, your best bet is to begin taking steps to give up smoking for your own good, for the good of your family, and for the long-term good of your home.

For more information on improving the air quality in your home, contact Barineau Heating & Air Conditioning at (850) 580-4029 or email us here.