Did you know that good air quality in your home can help you sleep better, keep you healthy, make you feel more alert and energetic, and can even help your home stay cleaner? Poor air quality, on the other hand, has been known to cause allergic reactions, headaches, and even prolong colds. Here are six quick and easy ways to improve the air quality in your home so you and your family can breathe easy, including whether or not it’s worth investing in high-efficiency air filtration systems.
Increase Ventilation
Getting the air moving freely throughout your home is essential, and there a few ways to do it. In the summer, it’s a little easier because you can open the windows to let the fresh air in. However, try to avoid running your AC with all the windows open, since this will only result in an unpleasant surprise when your energy bill arrives. Keeping interior doors open also encourages fresh air to circulate from room to room, especially in the colder months when it isn’t as easy as popping open a window.
Check Ducts and Vents
If your HVAC system seems to be lagging, you might want to inspect the ducts and the vents that allow air to circulate into your home. If your duct system was installed a long time ago, dust and debris could be causing a blockage, in which case it’s good practice to call in a professional to clear them. Return vents tend to collect dust as well, and this can be solved by simply wiping them clean regularly. Make sure that floor vents aren’t blocked by furniture, carpeting, or clutter.
Keep Your Home Clean
This probably goes without saying, but cleaning your home regularly is a good way to keep the air clean, too. Vacuuming, dusting, and removing clutter that collects dust and other allergens will go a long way to helping you breathe easier. Just be sure to choose your cleaning products wisely. Some cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released as gases into the air when you use them. To avoid this, look for natural products, or at least ones that say, “low VOC” or “no VOC”, and try to choose those that are fragrance-free.
Reduce Allergens
The main goal of any air filtration system is to reduce allergens, as they’re often the number one culprit of poor air quality in most households. Pet dander, dust, pollen, and mold can all contribute to respiratory issues. Cleaning regularly will go a long way to keeping allergens in check, but there are a few extra steps you can take to further reduce the allergens in your home. If you have pets, bathing or brushing them frequently will lessen shedding and pet dander. Dust can build up not just on surfaces, but behind furniture, on drapes, and in corners that aren’t tended to on your regular cleaning schedule. Giving these areas a going-over once in a while can make a world of difference. A dehumidifier in the basement will also put off mold, which is both unhealthy and unsightly. You may also want to reevaluate your houseplants. While some plants are touted as miniature air purifiers, others can actually be allergy triggers, which may outweigh the benefits of having them around.
Invest in a High-Efficiency Air Conditioner
A central air conditioning system is one of the best ways you can keep your home cool in the summer and enjoy great air quality. A high-efficiency air conditioning unit brings fresh air in, cools it, and circulates it through the ducts in your home. It also helps to lower the humidity, an important factor in controlling dust mites, who love a humid atmosphere. The best part is, if you already have a duct system in place for use with a furnace, installing an AC unit is affordable and can be done in a few hours.
Consider Investing in an Air Filtration System
While all the suggestions above will make a positive difference in the air you breathe, nothing will have as much of an impact as home air filtration systems. An air filtering system
works with your existing HVAC system to give you the cleanest air possible using certified filters to remove allergens, pollution, and other harmful particles from the air. Furthermore, you’ll find that in addition to breathing easier, you’ll sleep better, experience fewer sore throats and other respiratory issues, and have less cleaning to do. At Simply Green Home Services, we offer only the best in-home air filtration systems, tailored to your household. Speak to one of our representatives about improving your air quality—and your quality of life—today! Click here to get in touch with us.
