8 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tips
Posted: July 1, 2019
Having an airtight, well-insulated home provides a big boost for overall heating and cooling system efficiency, but it can also have an adverse effect on the quality of the air you’re breathing inside your home.
A modern home can be prone to a full array of potential air pollutants – everything from dust, mold, and pet dander to toxic cleaners and formaldehyde-filled furniture and construction materials. In a well-sealed home, these pollutants can get trapped inside and cause health problems.
While indoor pollution may be especially harmful for the youngest and oldest of us – along with people vulnerable to respiratory problems – regular exposure can be harmful to anyone over time.
So how do you actually improve indoor air quality in your Delaware Valley home? Here are eight ways to start making a difference.
- Keep your floors and rugs clean – Vacuum carpets, preferably with a top-rated vacuum cleaner with a built-in HEPA filter, at least once a week. Mop wood, tile, and composite floors on a regular basis. A mix of white vinegar and water can be used as a natural cleaning solution for this task.
- Purchase “green” household cleaners or make your own – Most stores now carry eco-friendly alternatives to cleaning products filled with chemicals. Another option, which will save you money, is to make your own cleaning products – vinegar and baking soda are great natural cleaning agents that cut grease, clean drains, kill germs and more.
- Avoid toxic air fresheners – Most air fresheners are full of toxins; choose essential oils with a diffuser instead. If you use candles, choose soy or beeswax-based varieties scented only with pure essential oils.
- Control humidity – Unhealthy humidity levels can encourage the growth and spread of mold and other microorganisms. Consider adding a whole house air humidifier or dehumidifier to your HVAC system to keep humidity levels in the healthy range. Read more.
- Bring in fresh air – There are ways to freshen up your indoor air while at the same time removing some of the pollutants that have accumulated inside your home. A mechanical ventilating system, also sometimes called a ventilator, can be an effective solution. Read more.
- Add indoor plants – Plants suck toxic chemicals through their leaves, and plant roots and soil bacteria remove trace levels of toxic vapors. Adding more plants will spruce up the look of your home too.
- Maintain your HVAC system – If you have a forced air heating system (one with vents rather than baseboards or radiators), professional maintenance will help keep allergens and other pollutants from accumulating in ducts and circulating throughout your home. Check your furnace or A/C system’s filter once per month, cleaning or changing it when necessary. Consider having your ducts inspected too.
Contact us about our Duct Airflow and Efficiency Assessment
Leaky ducts are at the root of the three common home comfort problems: uneven temperatures (hot or cold spots), poor indoor air quality that exacerbates allergies and high energy bills.
You can find out the condition of your ducts by asking us to perform a Duct Airflow and Efficiency Assessment. After we’re done, we can make accurate repair recommendations.
During our evaluation, we will:
- inspect for leaks using a hand-held fogger and infra-red camera
- inspect for dirt and debris within ductwork
- analyze and estimate utility bill savings
- explain all findings and improvement options
- provide photographs of all issues uncovered
- and much more
At the end of testing, if you didn’t learn enough to make it worthwhile, you don’t pay anything! But if you agree with our recommendations for improving your duct system, you may qualify for a $100 discount. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, duct repairs could be the most important energy improvement measure you can do!
Please contact us for further details.
