There are plenty of invisible threats to your health that you cross paths with every day, and none is more threatening than air pollution. While most people associate pollution with the air outdoors, the air inside your home can be up to five times worse. Considering how much time you spend at home, exposure to poor indoor air quality can lead to dire consequences – and quickly. With that said, here’s how you can improve your home’s air quality this summer.
Use a HEPA Filter and Check it Regularly
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a high-efficiency particulate air filter removes airborne particles better than any other product of similar use. That’s because HEPA air filters trap common household pollutants that are as small as 0.3 microns, catching 99.97 percent of all particles. No matter the type of air filter your HVAC system uses, remember to check it monthly and change it at least every three months to prevent poor IAQ.
Don’t Forget to Schedule Professional Duct Cleaning
If you own a ductless HVAC system, there’s no need to worry about this step. If you own a conventional central HVAC system, though, it’s important to schedule professional duct cleaning every three to five years. Otherwise, your ducts will promote mold growth, attract rodents and, ultimately, impact system performance and contribute to poor IAQ.
Place These Helpful Houseplants Around Your Home
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration conducted a study in 1989 to determine which plants could help clean the air inside its space stations. NASA found that some common indoor plants naturally remove toxic agents from the air. To achieve the freshest results, place one of these plants per 100 square feet of space inside your home.
- Bamboo Palm*
- English Ivy
- Florist’s Chrysanthemum
- Snake Plant
- Spider Plant*
*These plants are non-toxic and safe to place around your furry friends.
Invest in Trane’s Array of Advanced IAQ Solutions
Considered one of the industry’s leaders, Trane manufacturers an array of advanced IAQ solutions that help homeowners in Lancaster, Texas, improve their indoor air quality. When combined and used the right way, all of the following devices can drastically improve the quality of the air you breathe at home and prevent respiratory illness.
- CleanEffects Air Cleaner: Removes up to 99.98 percent of the bacteria and allergens in your home’s air.
- Perfect Fit Air Filter: This reusable air filter – yes, it’s reusable! – traps more particles than any other.
- Steam Humidifier: Provides an adequate amount of indoor moisture in all climates for all heating systems.
- FreshEffects Ventilator: Exhausts stale indoor air and replenishes it with fresh outdoor air for healthier IAQ.
- THUMD Power Humidifier: Helps homeowners maintain a healthy humidity level between 30 and 50 percent.
Follow These Extra Steps for Even Better Air Quality
The EPA considers poor indoor air quality one of the biggest threats to public health, and every step toward improving it is essential to creating a healthy home environment for your family. Take the following extra steps to ensure you’re doing everything possible to prevent your loved ones from suffering the consequences that poor IAQ can lead to.
- Open your windows for 10 minutes daily to refresh your home’s air.
- Stop smoking indoors and exposing your indoor air to the 4,000-plus chemicals found in cigarettes.
- Vacuum your carpets and mop your wooden floors at least once per week.
- Stay away from synthetic fragrances and other harmful volatile organic compounds.
- Get your indoor air quality tested seasonally by a professional HVAC service technician.
For information about how poor IAQ impacts your health, or if you’d like to invest in one of our services or solutions, read on to learn why indoor air quality is such a big deal or contact Freedom Heating & Air at (214) 306-8456. Our team of certified service technicians looks forward to proving why we’re a committed TCS, or a Trane Comfort Specialist.
