When most people think about dealing with allergens, they think of outside air quality. Unfortunately, the air inside can be a breeding ground for allergens, causing congestion, itchy eyes, and sneezing. The last place you want to suffer from allergies is inside your home. Thankfully, the experts on indoor air quality in Fredericksburg are here to help. Here are 10 tips to improve indoor air quality in your home.
1. Keep your House Clean
It should go without saying that one way to eliminate allergens is to clean. Dust surfaces weekly using a duster that traps dust (not a feather duster) or a wet rag. Keep your floors clean by vacuuming at least once or twice a week with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter and wet mopping hard surfaces. Other items in the home that should be cleaned regularly are curtains, bedding, and furniture. Wash and dry curtains monthly. Wash your bedding weekly, including blankets and comforters. Vacuum furniture even if it doesn’t look like it is needed. Be sure to clean in nooks and crannies where allergens can get trapped.
2. Reduce the Amount of Pollen Getting into Your House
Pollen mostly originates outside, but it is impossible to keep from coming in. One of the best ways to keep it out according to indoor air quality Fredericksburg experts is to keep your windows closed. It might be tempting to open the window and let the fresh spring air in but remember that the pollen travels in the air, and it will easily make its way through your screen.
Pollen is also tracked in on our clothes and shoes. When you enter the house, take off your shoes to prevent tracking them throughout the house. Vacuum or mop your entrance regularly to remove the pollen.
3. Control Mold and Mildew
Mold spores float around in the air, looking for someone to land and grow. Since mold likes moisture, can often find mold growing in places that are obviously moist like bathrooms, kitchens, and wet basements. But it can also be grown in other areas like the soil in house plants or around a leaky window. The best way to eliminate mold is to clean any mold that you see and to eliminate the source of the moisture if possible. House humidity is important to monitor, and if you need help with understanding how to regulate the humidity in your home, you should contact indoor air quality Fredericksburg advisors to discuss central dehumidifiers to reduce the amount of excess moisture in your home.
4. Replace Your HVAC Filters
A lot of air flows through the filters in your HVAC system every day. The filters are designed to trap allergens and other particles to keep them from recirculating through the house. You should replace these filters monthly, especially if there are more allergens in the air. With so many filter options on the market, it can be overwhelming to pick the one that is right for you and your system. Our indoor air quality Fredericksburg technicians are here to help you pick the best filter and to install it for you, saving you time and effort.
5. And Clean Out Your Ductwork
Contaminants can become trapped inside your ductwork, becoming a breeding ground for the growth of things like mold. Eventually, these contaminants may break free and float into the air circulating inside your house. Your ductwork can be cleaned by our indoor air quality Fredericksburg technicians during one of your monthly filter changes.
6. Ventilate Air to the Outside
If the air inside is bad, an obvious way to improve indoor air quality is by ventilating to the outside. You may currently have ventilation in your house, such as a hood above your stove to vent while you are cooking. But to get the most benefit of ventilating air, you should consider a home ventilation system installed by indoor air quality Fredericksburg experts. When you have a home ventilation system, air circulates more freely throughout the house, and contaminants are pulled away and out of the house.
7. Use Home Air Purifiers
There are many indoor home air purifiers available to the homeowner. Most people think air purifiers are only available in sizes such as table-top or whole room purifiers. However, whole-house home air purifiers are also available. These systems can consist of a unit installed in conjunction with your HVAC system or a standalone system that has additional air intake and exhaust installed. Schedule a meeting with our indoor air quality Fredericksburg experts to help you decide if a whole-house home air purifier system is right for your home.
8. What about Fido?
Pet dander is another major allergen for people. And even if you aren’t allergic to Fido, he’s probably bringing outside pollutants in on his fur. So what are you to do to improve indoor air quality if you aren’t willing to give up having a pet? First, brush your pet outside to leave everything that falls off during that process (hair, dander, pollen) outside. Clean your pet’s favorite areas in the house regularly to keep dander at bay. And consider banning the pet from soft surfaces that are hard to clean like the bed and furniture.
9. Check Your Plants
First, make sure that your houseplants do not generate pollen. Next, be sure to keep an eye on the pot and soil to watch for mold growth. Some plants are designed to be indoors and improve indoor air quality. Do some research to make sure that your plant falls into that category.
10. Don’t smoke
One way to improve indoor air quality – and your health – is to quit smoking. Smoking leaves a number of allergens and pollutants in the air. If you must smoke, stick with doing it outside.
At Complete Heating and Cooling, we strive desire to improve indoor air quality in your home. We are the experts in indoor air quality in Fredericksburg. Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation appointment to discuss your indoor air quality needs today!