5 Ways You Could Improve Your Home’s Air Quality
When thinking about home improvement, our mind usually goes to the things we can see. This is especially the case when it comes to your family’s safety as we tend to focus on exposed wires and visible hazards. However, oftentimes it’s the dangers we can’t see that can be the most insidious. The fact is that air pollution in your home can have the same negative effects on our health as outdoor smog. Since the average American spends 87% of their life indoors, it’s crucial to consider the dangerous effects of indoor air pollution. But don’t panic! You can take immediate steps to improve your air quality today with some basic knowledge and preventative planning. Here are five simple ways you may be able to improve your home’s air quality:
- Clean Your Air Ducts
Air ducts are your best friend in raising the quality of your air, as they control the air flow and ventilation of your home. Air ducts are passages used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning to deliver and remove air from rooms. Naturally, if ducts are not installed or maintained properly, they can distribute contaminants from one room to another. Air contaminants include dust, dandern, and even mold. An easy fix is to regularly clean your air ducts to ensure that the ventilation systems are working properly.
- Change Your AC Filter
With summertime finally here, we will all be putting our air-conditioning systems to good use. Like air ducts, AC systems circulate air. Most AC units have a built-in air filter to remove contaminants. Over time, these filters will get blocked. Changing your AC filter regularly will ensure that it continues to do its job. Why stop there? It’s also important to regularly change the filter in your vacuum cleaner, clothes dryer and kitchen vents.
- Clean Your Rugs and Carpets
Rugs and carpets are lovely personalized touches to a living space. They can also act as a makeshift air filter, trapping dust particles in their fibers. Just like your AC Filter, the cleaner the filter is, the better it is at its job. If you regularly vacuum your carpets, they will continue to improve your air quality by capturing dust.
- Utilize Cooking Vents
The kitchen is the biggest contributor to indoor air pollutants. Gas stoves and electric burners can send carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide into the air. Make sure to turn your kitchen vents on or open a window while you cook to lower your intake of these chemicals.
- Buy Indoor Plants
When we think of combatting mass outdoor air pollution, we look to planting more trees. Why not use the same tactics inside? Indoor plants act as natural air filters, pulling air contaminants and contributing oxygen. Not to mention, plants are beautiful to look at. There’s nothing better than spicing up your home decor and improving your air quality at the same time.