You Spend Most of Your Life Indoors; Make It Quality Time
Did you know that most people spend 90 percent of their time indoors? That’s a lot, especially because concentrations of indoor pollutants are often two to five times higher than typical concentrations, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
That’s why air inside your home is just as critical as outside air quality, especially if you or another person in your home suffers from seasonal allergies. Sure, opening a window lets in the cool air, but doing so also invites allergens that can lead to respiratory problems, itchy skin, and watery eyes. In managing these problems, you can take steps to ensure healthy indoor air quality. Here’s how:
1. Reduce pollution
The EPA recommends eliminating indoor air pollution to improve air quality, beginning with appliances. If you have a fireplace, you can use use it more often as temperatures cool down. But first, make sure your chimney area contains no residual ash or debris, and you should brush the ashes out after each fire.
If you use a gas stove and furnace, check to see that all the piping and conduits linked to them are sealed, and that the devices themselves work as they should. The pollutants they produce must be vented properly.
2. Control the air flow
Carefully controlling outside air that enters your house should also be on your list, starting with tight sealing everywhere. This is the opposite of what you may have heard before: that air sealed inside a home stagnates and eventually becomes unhealthy. Modern HVAC systems maintain your home’s air quality, making your job easier.
Don’t think, however, that sealing a home is the same as keeping your windows closed 24/7. Poor sealing can cause mold issues that add to an unhealthy environment. Go as far as to seal up cracks near doors and windows. Better yet, talk with a pro and let him or her conduct an energy-efficiency audit and recommend solutions that are best for you.
Want to make sure the air you’re circulating is as clean as can be? An air-purification system installed with your HVAC unit can eliminate allergens that may already live inside. An HVAC company like Gene’s AC can educate you about such systems.
Some new homes include high-tech HVAC designs that incorporate a mechanical feature that circulates outdoor air into the home. They feature energy-efficient heat-recovery ventilators that lower heating and cooling costs when it’s warm or cold outside.
3. Open windows regularly
On nice days—when you can breathe easily—be sure to open your windows. Fall is the ideal season for this, because it’s neither too hot nor too cold. Opening your windows will let clean, fresh air circulate around your house and rid your place of old and stagnant air that may be rich with allergens.
4. Use a humidifier
Humidifiers are devices that release steam or water vapor into the air to increase humidity. Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air. It can play a role in both the development and treatment of allergies. Dry air can make for discomfort and can aggravate your allergies. Using a humidifier will moisten the air to a comfortable level.
5. Conduct regular maintenance
Twigs, leaves, and other debris can get inside your HVAC unit and lower its performance. Get it inspected and maintained every six months by a trained professional to ensure it’s ready to go for the winter. Naturally, we can help! Contact us at service@genesac.com.