The Ultimate Guide To Improving Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is one of those things you don’t really think about… until it’s not good.
Does your home feel stuffy? Humid? Dusty? Can’t shake that lingering dog smell? For those who are sensitive or have allergies, bad air quality isn’t just an annoyance. It can be a health concern. The good news is, there are many things you can do to improve your indoor air quality.
From keeping your floors clean to changing your air filter, here’s the ultimate guide to improving indoor air quality with resources to keep your home feeling fresh.
Checking Your Air Quality
How To Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home
At first glance, it may seem like a good idea to keep your home as airtight as possible to keep the heat out and the AC flowing. While it’s true that an airtight home can be energy-efficient, it can also be too airtight, preventing something just as valuable: indoor ventilation.
Help, My House Is Too Humid!
Hot and sticky aren’t usually two words you want to use when describing the inside of your home. Unfortunately, the warm North Florida weather often translates to a familiar foe: humidity. In addition to just being uncomfortable, indoor humidity can cause several issues with the air quality.
Common Household Pollutants
Carbon Monoxide: Protecting Your Family From Carbon Monoxide
When you see or smell smoke inside your home, it’s a clear sign to get your family outside and call 9-1-1, even if you don’t hear the fire alarm. When it comes to carbon monoxide, however, you might not have that opportunity. It is poisonous, deadly and unnoticeable.
Pet Hair and Dander: Top HVAC Tips for Pet Owners
Pets are beloved members of the family, but they come with their own set of challenges. Did you know that owning one or more furry friends can put a strain on your HVAC system? Pet fur and dander can build up in your system and cause issues over time.
Dust Mites: Getting Rid of Dust Mites in Your Home
While a little dust in your home might feel harmless, the real issue is what you can’t see: dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic creatures, invisible to the human eye. They feed on the dead skin cells, dirt and other components that make up the dust you see in your home. While they don’t bite, dust mites can negatively impact the air quality in your home, and, consequently, your health.
Artificial Fragrance: Too Much Fragrance Can Impact Air Quality in Your Home
From candles to air fresheners, many scented products promise to make your home smell like strawberry shortcake or a day at the beach. But did you know that overusing artificial fragrance can negatively impact the air quality in your home?
Pollen: Reducing Pollen and Allergens in Your Home
If you or a member of your household suffers from seasonal allergies, limiting your outdoor exposure to pollen and other allergens can help, but it may not be enough to curb allergic reactions. The real culprits are the allergens already circulating inside your home.
Sand: How Sand Can Impact Air Quality in Your Home
If you live near the beach, you’re probably no stranger to having sand in your home. Whether it’s in your shoes, on the carpet, or on the floor of your car, sand can evade even the most thorough cleaning. But what about circulating in the air of your home? Many common pollutants, such as dirt and dust, can affect the air you’re breathing inside. Is sand any different?
Cleaning Tips
3 Tips for Cleaner Carpet – And Better Air Quality
Other than a quick vacuum or a clean-up after a spill, carpet can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to cleaning. But keeping your carpets as clean as possible is a lot more important than you think – particularly for air quality.
Spring Cleaning: A Guide To Improving Air Quality and Creating a Toxin-Free Home
As you progress through the winter, you may have noticed that the dust has settled, literally. Your home sees a lot of indoor activity through the winter, and as dust builds up, it can leave the surfaces of your home in need of a thorough scrub. Spring is a great time to open the windows in your home and complete that full, deep clean that you’ve been putting off.
Giving Your Indoor Air Quality a Boost
Buying an Air Purifier? Here Are Three Things To Consider
Air purifiers have become a part of many homes, hotels, businesses and classrooms. As they’ve become more popular, people have become aware of the quality of the air and its impact on their health more than ever before.
Getting Started With Essential Oils for a Fresh Smelling Home
Essential oils are a great way to keep your home smelling great, but did you know that they can also purify the air? Studies have shown that many essential oils have antimicrobial and antifungal properties. In addition to a properly functioning HVAC system, essential oils are a great supplemental tool to keep your home smelling fresh, especially in small spaces.
5 Houseplants for Improving the Air Quality in Your Home
We would like to believe it’s not true, but the air in our home can contain mold, dust mites, radon (from rocks below the foundation or even granite countertops) and volatile organic compounds such as benzene and formaldehyde. Ongoing exposure to these pollutants can negatively impact our health. However, many plant varieties have been proven to naturally purify the air and complement a good home comfort system.
HVAC Maintenance for Good Indoor Air Quality
Why Your Air Conditioning Needs an Annual Tune-Up
Scheduling an annual maintenance check for your heating and cooling system is like going to the dentist or changing your vehicle’s oil. It’s very easy to put off, but you could find yourself in serious trouble if you procrastinate too long. The best HVAC maintenance practice is to schedule an annual check to uncover issues with your system that you might not otherwise notice until it’s too late.
When to Book Air Duct Cleaning
Your air ducts are an important part of your home comfort system. Ductwork isn’t typically visible inside the home. Instead, it runs through the attic, walls and other spaces to carry heated or cooled air around your home. Maintaining these invisible arteries with air duct cleaning is key to a clean, efficient climate control system.
What Kind of Air Conditioning Filter is Best?
An air filter acts as a scrubber for the air circulating in your heating and air conditioning system. It may be near the return vents or it may be part of your inside unit. A clean, functioning air filter keeps dust and dirt, pollen, mold and its spores, lint, hair and animal fur and more out of your living spaces. A dirty or clogged filter will force your system to work harder, resulting in higher bills, and eventually, a system that is burnt out long before its time.
Keeping You Comfortable
When it comes to maintaining good indoor air quality, your HVAC system should do most of the heavy lifting. With Barineau Heating and Air Conditioning’s Total Comfort Service Program, you can save time, money and effort while keeping your HVAC in great working order.
At $109 per year, the Blue Plan (which includes one 28-point inspection) only costs $20 more than a one-time tune-up, with benefits that quickly pay for themselves. In addition, signing up for an annual plan removes the burden of having to remember annual maintenance appointments.
Time is money, and we want to help you make the most of yours. Save on both by signing up for the Total Comfort Service Program today or click here to chat with a home comfort specialist.
