How to Improve Indoor Air Quality at Home
Is the air in your home impacting your health? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that indoor air can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Since this is where we spend most of our time, reducing airborne contaminants is essential, especially for those struggling with allergies and asthma. Identify and address common culprits with these tips on how to improve indoor air quality at home from ACT Absolute Comfort Technology, Yakima Valley’s best HVAC company.
Signs of poor indoor air quality
Constant sinus congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, burning or itchy eyes, and headaches could indicate poor home air quality.
Top reasons for air pollution at home
Dust and allergens, moisture and mold, smoke, and VOCs are leading causes of polluted indoor air.
Ways to improve indoor air quality
You can improve air quality through ventilation and filtration improvements, including energy-recovery ventilation, UV germicidal lights, HEPA or whole-house filtration, and dehumidifiers.
Not Feeling Your Best? It Could Be Poor Indoor Air Quality
If you or a family member suffers from constant sinus congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, burning or itchy eyes, and headaches, pollution in your home could be to blame. Because long-term exposure to poor indoor air quality has been linked to serious diseases, making home air quality improvement is a wise investment – even if you don’t notice these health issues.
What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality?
Our local HVAC contractors see a number of contributors to poor indoor air quality in Yakima Valley homes, including these top offenders:
Dust and allergens
Tiny pollen and pet dander particles, dust mites, pest droppings, construction debris, and other highly allergenic contaminants collect on surfaces and spread through your heating and cooling system.
Smoke
Particulates from combustion sources like tobacco products, wood-burning fireplaces, candles, incense, and cooking contain harmful toxins that can cause respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
Moisture and mold
Leaks and humidity, which lead to fungal and microbial growth, are among the most significant and common causes of poor indoor air quality at home.
VOCs
Off-gassing from new flooring, furnishings, paint, household cleaning products, and air fresheners builds up in today’s tightly sealed indoor spaces.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Yakima Valley
Create a safe, allergy-friendly home environment with these common-sense solutions for improving indoor air quality:
No smoking zone
Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals. Eliminating it inside your home may be the single most important thing you can do to improve air quality.
Ventilation improvements
Reduce pollution with dilution through proper ventilation. Ensure proper venting of fireplaces, gas furnaces, and combustion appliances. Talk to our friendly HVAC team about ways to bring fresh air into your home without affecting temperature and comfort, such as energy-recovery ventilation.
Improved air filtration
Replace your air filter regularly to reduce contaminant spread. Better still, upgrade filtration with a HEPA filter or whole-house air purifier to clean the air circulating throughout your home.
UV germicidal lights
Adding a germicidal light to your HVAC filtration system helps kill and prevent the spread of mold, bacteria, and viruses throughout your home.
Whole-house dehumidification
Reduce allergy-triggering mold and mildew growth and improve comfort in sticky summer weather, removing excess moisture from the air with a whole-house dehumidifier.
Natural cleaners and furnishings
Swap out toxic chemical cleaners and artificial fragrances for natural cleaners and pure essential oils. Choose natural wood and fabric furnishings over glued and engineered alternatives.
Ensure a Safe, Comfortable Home
Improve comfort and health with these tips on how to improve indoor air quality at home from ACT Absolute Comfort Technology. Contact us at 509-388-2997 to learn more about pollution reduction solutions for your home in Union Gap, Ellensburg, Richland, Pasco, Zillah, Cle Elum, Prosser, Grandview, or Yakima today.
