Indoor air quality is something you can control. To improve your home’s air quality, there are a few things you can do. Removing sources of pollution and allergens would be the most impactful. But you can also use air purifiers, and you can clean your HVAC system. If you’d like to have the best air quality possible, try a few of the following tips.

Remove Sources of Pollution or Allergens

Pollution might not be what comes to mind when you think of your home. However, there are a lot of potential pollutants inside. Simply cleaning the air won’t get rid of them, though. You’ve got to remove whatever is causing the pollution in the first place.

Here are a few common sources of indoor air pollutants.

  • Tobacco
  • Asbestos
  • Cleaning products
  • Mold
  • Radon
  • Wood-burning stoves

There are other sources, but these are among the most common. Getting rid of them shouldn’t be too hard, luckily. First, identify where the pollutants are coming from. Then, throw them away. Usually, simply getting rid of them will boost your home’s air quality by a lot. Hiring a professional would be even more effective at removing indoor pollutants, too. They’ll know exactly what to look for and how to remove them.

Test for Radon Contamination

Radon is a potentially dangerous source of indoor air pollution. Radon is a type of noble gas released from the earth. Certain areas are subject to radon evaporation. It’s impossible to see or smell, but it can cause lung cancer if left alone. Testing for it is the only way to tell if it’s there.

If you’re worried about whether your home has radon contamination, hire a professional. They’ll be able to test for it, and they’ll also be able to help you get rid of it for good. Usually, radon enters the home through cracks in its foundation. By sealing those cracks, professionals can prevent radon from getting inside. Then, once they’ve fixed the problem, they can retest your home to see if there’s any more radon.

Properly Clean Your Ductwork

Poorly maintained ductwork can be a major source of air contamination. Over time, dust and other debris accumulate inside of your ducts. Then, whenever your furnace turns on, it blows the debris into your home. A professional inspection of your ducts would solve this issue entirely. They’ll clean all your ducts, so nothing contaminates your air. Plus, your HVAC system should last longer with clean ducts as well.

Replace the Filters on Your Furnace

HEPA air filters can remove air particulates as small as a single micron. Typical air filters won’t do as good of a job at filtering pollutants. If you’re concerned about air quality, replacing the filters can make a big difference. Ask a professional for help replacing them, though. That way, they’ll be able to give you the appropriate filter for your home’s ventilation system.

Install an Air Purifier

Using an air purifier is another popular way to improve your home’s air quality. These devices use different technologies to sterilize the air. Most of the time, they remove pollutants by using ionic attraction. Most particles possess an electric charge. So, by blowing them through an electrically charged plate, particles stick to it. Some air purifiers are more effective than others, though.

You can check how effective your air purifier will be by looking at its percentage effectiveness rate (PEA.) The percentage effectiveness rate expresses how much air is cleaned by the purifier. The best purifiers have high PEA rates, and they circulate a ton of air. The more air they circulate, the more of it they can clean.

Use a Humidifier

Finally, humidifiers might not remove any particles from the air. However, they can make breathing a lot more enjoyable. Winter air tends to be a lot dryer than the rest of the year. Adding a little humidity to it could reduce the frequency of nose bleeds. And, your skin won’t be as dry, either. A professional could add a humidifier to your home’s furnace. That way, every time your heat turns on, your home’s humidity levels will adjust.

Your Trusted Indoor Air Quality Team

Healthy Home Heating & Cooling LLC is the most trusted name in De Pere, WI, when it comes to indoor air quality. We can also repair, maintain and install your home’s heating and cooling systems. Contact Healthy Home Heating & Cooling LLC today if you’d like to improve your home’s air quality this winter.

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