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How To Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Making a concerted effort to improve your indoor air quality is about more than just keeping a clean, pleasant home. When you take steps to improve your air quality, you're making a long-term investment in the health and happiness of you and your family. And the best part is, even implementing small, simple changes can make significant improvements in your home's indoor air quality! Here are a few suggestions we often recommend to our clients:

Test Your Air Quality

When in doubt, figure it out! You may deal with issues like allergies, respiratory issues, or heavy dust buildup that point to a problem with your air quality, but knowing the exact condition of your air and what's causing problems is important. If you're concerned, ask a professional HVAC company to test your air quality. Not only can they pinpoint specific pollutants (including sneaky killers like radon gas and carbon monoxide) and what quantities they're in, but they can also advise you on how best to resolve your air issues quickly.

Regular HVAC Maintenance

Regular HVAC maintenance includes changing air filters, cleaning ducts, and scheduling annual inspections with a qualified HVAC company. Dirty filters and clogged ducts can circulate dust, allergens, and other pollutants throughout your home, but routine maintenance and cleaning help to keep your system running efficiently without contributing to poor air quality.

Use Air Purifiers

Air purifiers are a great addition to your home if you're concerned about airborne pollutants. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are particularly effective at capturing small particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander. Place air purifiers in frequently used areas or rooms with high pollutant levels to improve overall indoor air quality.

Control Humidity Levels

Keeping your home's humidity levels between 30-50% is crucial for good indoor air quality. High humidity can promote mold growth and dust mites, while low humidity can dry out your skin and respiratory passages. Use dehumidifiers to reduce excess moisture in humid areas like basements and bathrooms, and consider a humidifier during dry winter months.

Improve Ventilation

Proper ventilation helps dilute indoor pollutants and bring in fresh outdoor air. Ensure that your home is well-ventilated by using exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and when the weather is nice outside (and there's not a ton of pollen in the air), throw open a few windows and let that fresh air in!

Reduce Source Pollutants

Minimizing the sources of indoor pollutants can significantly improve air quality. As mentioned above, installing air purifiers can help filter nasty particles out of the air, but here are a few more tips for reducing source pollutants at home:

• Avoid using products with high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as certain paints, cleaning supplies, and air fresheners. Opt for natural or low-VOC alternatives to reduce chemical exposure in your home.
• Don't smoke any cigarettes or tobacco products indoors, as these can be a potent source of VOCs, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and other particulates.
• Turn on your kitchen's range hood when frying, roasting, or flambeeing food.

If you want more tips on reducing air pollutants in your home, the Government of Canada's guide to improving indoor air quality is a great resource to consult!

Breathe a Little Easier

Thermacool Mechanical is Abbotsford's go-to expert for indoor air quality testing, air cleaning solutions, and other important HVAC services. Our experienced team can provide you with tailored solutions to help you improve your home's air quality so you and yours can breathe a bit (or a lot) easier. Contact Thermacool Mechanical today at 604-751-2412 to schedule your IAQ consultation and ensure healthier, fresher indoor air quality in your home!