How good is your indoor air quality? Maybe you don’t give it much thought, assuming that your HVAC system does an adequate job of adequately keeping the air fresh. That assumption would be wrong, however. Here’s why.
There are myriad airborne particulates swirling around in your home. Some may be harmless, but a good many are not. Harmful airborne particles may include mold, bacteria, viruses, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollen, dust, dust mites, pet dander, smoke, carbon monoxide (CO) and radon.
Controlling Indoor Air Quality
Here are five ways to improve indoor air quality:
- Install a good quality, pleated air filter, rated 8-12 on the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) scale. These filters do a better job of catching airborne particulates than cheaper filters. An electrostatic filter will also be effective at capturing particles with a static charge. These filters generally should be regularly cleaned.
- Remove shoes at the door and keep windows closed to minimize dust. Control dust by frequent vacuuming with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter, and by dusting with either a damp or microstatic cloth. Go over floors with a damp mop.
- Minimize humidity in the home by installing exhaust ventilation to the outdoors in the bathroom and the kitchen so that there’s less chance for moisture to build up. Also, fix leaking air conditioners and plumbing, and leaks in the roof or ceiling right away to eliminate wet places where mold, mildew and fungus may take root. If the home is still too humid, look into installing a dehumidifier, either whole house or portable. Portable dehumidifiers must be moved from room to room. Lowering humidity also helps minimize dust mites.
- Eliminate pollen by either brushing off clothes before you enter the home, or changing clothes and washing the ones you’ve worn outdoors. Isolate pollen-bearing plants in one room and close the door.
- Control dust mites by washing linens in hot water at least once a week.
For more advice on how to control indoor air quality, contact Bradbury Brothers Heating & Air. We serve The Woodlands, Conroe, Spring Oak Ridge North, Magnolia, Tomball and the surrounding area.
