According to the National Weather Service, it’s estimated that poor air quality is responsible for the deaths of some 100,000 people in the United States every year. Medical costs to treat conditions that stem from poor air quality are estimated to cost around $150 billion annually. These numbers are staggering, and while various initiatives are underway to help combat pollution, there’s still a lot of work to be done.
You can also take measures in your own home to ensure the indoor air you and your family are breathing is fresh and pure. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to increased allergic reactions, skin irritation, headaches, fatigue and more. So what are some of the ways you can help improve the indoor air quality within your Louisville-area home? Here’s a look at some simple, practical steps:
5 Ways to Improve Air Quality Inside Your Home
1. Have Your Air Ducts Professionally Cleaned
According to the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA), you should have your air ducts inspected at least once a year and professionally cleaned as needed. For some homes, air duct cleaning may only be necessary once every five years. For other homes with allergy-sensitive residents, cleaning may need to be done every other year.
An air duct cleaning won’t just remove dust and debris that has built up within your home’s ducts – and thereby circulates throughout the home whenever the air conditioning or furnace kicks on – but pet dander, pest droppings, mold and mildew, pollen, and more. A duct cleaning will remove particulates from the ducts and also work to kill any bacteria and remove odors that may be coming from the duct work.
2. Change Your Air Filters Regularly
This is the easiest thing you can do to help improve the quality of your home’s indoor air quality. All you need to do is buy an air filter and change it out according to your HVAC manufacturer’s recommendation. Dirty filters will circulate dust, debris and other allergens throughout your home when the HVAC system kicks on – a key reason why swapping dirty filters out for clean, new ones on a regular basis is so important. Furthermore, a clogged air filter is going to lead to a less efficient HVAC system and higher energy costs.
3. Incorporate Specialty Components Into Your Home
Air purifiers work to circulate air and capture dust, allergens, and other debris that could be harmful to your health. They come in all different sizes. For instance, while some are powerful enough to purify the air in just one room of the home, others can integrate into your HVAC system and provide full-home purification. To learn more about the benefits of home purification, contact us today.
Another thing you may want to consider is adding more houseplants. Plants act as natural air purifiers, working to absorb pollutants to create oxygen.
4. Control Humidity
Too much humidity, and it can be downright hot and miserable. Too little humidity, and you can’t walk across your carpet and touch something without a shock. Ideally, your home’s humidity should be between 30 and 50 percent year-round – a range that should help keep any allergens in check and prevent mold and mildew growth. But controlling humidity is easier said than done. During the summer months, it can help to have a dehumidifier. During the winter months, you might need to add humidity to your home. Contact us today for more information on solutions to better control humidity – and its byproducts – in your home.
5. Test for Radon
Radon is an odorless, colorless, scentless radioactive gas that can be present at the lowest level of a home. It’s also the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. It’s easy to test for radon and easy and affordable to solve radon issues in your home. Typically, all you need to do is add more ventilation to certain areas of the property.
Contact Us Today
For more information on how to improve your home’s indoor air quality and how Air Comfort of KY, Inc. can help, contact us today. We’re standing by and ready to help you breathe in healthier indoor air.
