Improving Indoor Air Quality to Enhance the Comfort of Your Home

The quality of life inside your home is directly related to the quality of the air you breathe. Pollutants can affect your health and enjoyment of your home; some can even be dangerous or deadly. The EPA recommends that homeowners test their residences for various pollutants, including radon, formaldehyde, asbestos, lead, and biological and chemical contaminants. Everyday items like cooking stoves, heating stoves, fireplaces and other heaters can add to the dust and pollutants already present in the air; these can create significant health problems in susceptible individuals. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps recommended by the EPA that can dramatically improve the quality of the air inside your home.

Reduce contaminants

By eliminating some of the contributing elements to indoor air pollution, homeowners can improve the quality of inside air almost immediately. Cleaning fireplaces, replacing worn pipes and vents on stoves and other heating devices, and doing a thorough examination of your home’s interior can help lower the number of contaminants that are present inside your home. Vents and air shafts should be cleaned regularly by a professional service to get rid of dust mites as well as dust, and filters for air conditioning units should be replaced monthly. Additionally, your home should be inspected for radon gas and asbestos to ensure it is free of these deadly contaminants; if either is found, a professional contractor should be enlisted to rid your home of these materials. Vacuum cleaners are often overlooked as causes of indoor pollution, but some release a great deal of dust into the air each time they are used; look for vacuum cleaners that use high-quality particle-trapping filters for best results.

Improve ventilation

In most areas, bringing in fresh air from outdoors can markedly improve the quality of interior air. This is most crucial when engaging in high-polluting activities like painting, chemical stripping of paint or wallpaper, cooking, or using any chemical solvents. Attic fans offer a quick solution for clearing out smoky or dusty air, but can stir up additional dust in the process. Opening windows and doors and running box fans can help clear air quickly and, combined with an attic fan, can quickly recycle much of the air in your home, allowing you to breathe easier.

Clean the air

Commercial air cleaners are available in all sizes and varieties, from small tabletop models to complex add-ons for your heating and cooling system. While these will not help with chemical or biological pollutants, some are effective at attracting and removing tiny particles from the air, leaving your home fresher and reducing harmful contaminants. Although scientists are divided regarding the effectiveness of houseplants in combating airborne pollutants, several studies seem to suggest that plants like English ivy, peace lilies, mums, and bamboo palms can actually help to remove hazardous chemicals like carbon monoxide and benzene from indoor air; by incorporating some of these attractive plants into your home décor, you may be able to improve both your home’s appearance and the air quality inside.

By taking a few simple steps to remove pollutants from the air inside your home, you can breathe easier and ensure your family’s health and safety. Most of these methods don’t cost a lot, but can make a big difference in your comfort level and the air quality inside your home.

About the Author:
Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas Realtor. Other articles written by the author related to Cedar Park real estate and Austin real estate can be found on the net.