It may feel cozy and comfortable being sealed in tight against the cold in your home during the colder months of the year, but for people who are sensitive to indoor allergens or have respiratory problems, winter can aggravate problems. Stale indoor air and heating systems can increase the amount of allergy-inducing particles such as dust mites, pet fur, and mold spores circulating through your house.
In late winter and early spring, it may still be too chilly to throw open the windows to pull out the musty air, so while you await the warmer weather it’s important to be aware of some of the allergy and respiratory triggers that may be lurking in your surroundings. With this being said, improving your home air quality becomes a crucial factor in maintaining a healthy environment for you and your family.
How To Improve Air Quality In Your Home
Keep the greenery outdoors – Indoor plants are a beautiful addition to your interior, but they can also collect and foster the growth of mold. So, if indoor allergens are a problem, you’ll want to avoid them.
- Keep the greenery outdoors. Indoor plants are a beautiful addition to your interior, but they can also collect and foster the growth of mold. So, if indoor allergens are a problem, you’ll want to avoid them. While some plants are thought to help to improve indoor air quality because they release oxygen, they are still allergy triggers for many people.
- Keep your home clean. A clean house may be a healthier house because good indoor hygiene can greatly cut down on dust and pet dander. Your cleaning efforts should focus on strategies to reduce the accumulation of pet dander, mold, and dust hidden in your home. Focus on the following:
- Vacuuming the carpets and area rugs at least once or twice a week with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. Opting for hard-surface flooring instead of wall-to-wall carpeting may also cut down on allergens in the home.
- Regularly cleaning bedding, drapes, and other items that tend to attract allergens—particularly if you have pets. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends washing in water that is at least 130° F. Also consider using dust mites–proof covers on pillows, as well as mattresses and box springs, whenever possible.
- Invest in an air purifier. If you’re allergic to indoor allergens and can’t control the source of the problem — for example, you’re unwilling to give up your family pet — it may help to use an air purifier. These devices, in particular ionic purifiers, can help capture some of the irritants that may trigger your symptoms and they should be placed in the most commonly used areas of the house. You’re probably not going to be able to remove these allergens completely, but you can cut down on them, which may help the problem.
- Also consider a dehumidifier in damp areas, such as a basement and kitchen, to help prevent the growth of mold. Ensure that bathrooms, another potential source of mold, are well ventilated as well and scrub off any visible mold that collects in the shower, on fixtures, or walls. Always make sure that your bathroom is properly dried off every after a shower.
- Let the fresh air in. Even in the cold months, open windows from time to time to allow fresh air to move into the house and to ensure that your home will have proper ventilation. Also, move potential air contaminants out by using fans in the kitchen to remove cooking fumes.
- Change your filters. If you have a forced-air heating system, be certain to change the filters regularly. Electrostatic filters can help ensure that dust and other airborne irritants get trapped instead of being recirculated throughout your home.
Also, consider having your ducts cleaned to remove trapped dust. But, before you do this, you must consider if you have know-how in duct cleaning. The best way to do this though is contacting your trusted HVAC company in Cape Coral.
HVAC Maintenance
If your air conditioning or heating system is not properly maintained, the system as a whole is forced to work harder even if it’s just a single component of the system isn’t working. This leads to more energy consumption and compromised air quality. That is why it is important to schedule Air Conditioner Annual Maintenance in Florida.
For your Air Conditioner Annual Maintenance in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida, you can count on Caloosa Cooling.
Fast, reliable & GUARANTEED SATISFACTION of your A/C, HVAC, installation, maintenance or emergency repair needs!
