How to Maintain Clean Air in Your Home

Clean Air

When we think of dirty air, we might imagine urban smog or the choking air of a coal mine. These are certainly unpleasant areas as far as air quality goes. However, we tend to overestimate the purity of the air in our own homes. Indeed, science actually shows that homes and other buildings can have much dirtier air than the outdoors. Most of us spend a significant amount of time inside, so we should make sure we’re breathing clean air! Here are some simple ways you can keep your home’s air clean.

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Ventilate to Breathe Easy

Ventilation, all throughout your house, is important for maintaining clean air quality. Without it, you can be breathing in harmful air throughout the day, even if you don’t realize it. In your bathroom, a fan works to prevent the growth of mold. In your kitchen, proper ventilation keeps the gas from your stove from accumulating. If you use a wood-burning stove for warmth in the winter, make sure it’s properly ventilated to the exterior of your home.

Stay Away from Smoke!

Given the public service efforts of recent decades to reinforce the harms of smoking, this isn’t an especially surprising method to keep your home’s air clean. However, it should be addressed, since this is one of the most effective ways to promote clean air. Smoke is very bad for our lungs. Whether this smoke comes from cigarettes, candles, or wood-burning fireplaces, it’s best to avoid it altogether.

Avoid Scented Cleaning Products

Many cleaning products might seem harmless enough but actually fill the air with VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These can irritate your eyes and nose, among other ill effects. We recommend to instead use natural cleaning products. Additionally, though there are tons of products available to freshen up the scent of your home, it’s better to drill down to the root of the problem than to mask an unpleasant smell with chemicals. Natural sprays can make your home smell nice without canvassing it with harmful chemicals.

Filters Are Your Friend

A whole-house filter is a great way to promote clean air in your home. Typically a part of your HVAC system, these filters help to block harmful particles from making their way into your home’s air supply. To get the most out of your filters, it’s important to examine them every month or so and replace them if they’re dirty. Need to find out which filters your HVAC system can accommodate or whether you should upgrade?

Repair Leaks

Though a small leak may not seem like a big deal, it can definitely be more problematic than meets the eye. Dampness, mold, and other factors can all contribute to breathing problems. To maintain a low level of moisture in your home, which will make it more difficult for mold and other irritants to grow, we suggest using a dehumidifier. Maintaining humidity levels between 30-50% should provide the best results. This also helps to prevent the appearance of dust mites, which also have a negative impact on air quality. In fact, some experts believe that dust mites could be the leading cause of year-round allergies and asthma symptoms.

You and your family should be able to breathe easily in your home! For help implementing these suggested solutions or for any other plumbing or HVAC needs, call Stephens Plumbing at (630) 968-0783 or schedule an appointment online.

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