Studies have shown that pollution levels inside your home may be five times higher than the air outside.
The main pollutants are dust, dirt, pollen, spores, and pet dander. This indoor air pollution is likely to cause irritation to the eyes and nose, dizziness, headaches, and more serious ailments like aggravation of allergies, respiratory illnesses, and asthma. It is, therefore, extremely important that indoor air pollution be controlled and eliminated to ensure the well-being of the household. Indoor air pollution can be controlled by controlling the source, improving ventilation, and installing an air cleaner.
Controlling the Source
Effective cleaning of the house can remove most of the accumulated dust, dirt, and pet dander. However, there will always be some amount of dust and lint which will accumulate on the surfaces of flooring and furniture, and if you have a pet, it will be a continuous source of dropped hair and dander. It is essential to vacuum your house frequently so that the source of pollution is cleared. Check the HVAC system of your house frequently to ensure that it is functioning correctly. A well-maintained HVAC system keeps air pollutants at bay. If you have a forced air system in your house, clean the air vents and ducts frequently to remove any dust and pet hair.
Improved Ventilation
A well-ventilated house will have lesser pollutants than the one with poor ventilation. Whenever possible, open the doors and windows of your house so that indoor air pollution is reduced by natural air flow. You may even use a window or an attic fan to ventilate the house. Kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans also help in ventilating the house. Indoor air pollution generally increases during the winter when the doors and windows are kept closed. It becomes essential that you ventilate the house frequently so that indoor air quality is maintained.
Air Cleaners
Air cleaners clean the indoor air by a filtering process wherein almost 99 percent of pollutants are filtered by the media of the cleaner. There are various types and designs of air cleaners suitable for different applications. Whole-house air cleaners are installed on the furnace and clean the entire quantity of air that is to be delivered to various parts of the house. Portable cleaners are not as efficient when compared to the furnace-mounted ones. The filters in cleaners may be a pleated filter which removes 99 percent of large particles or it can be a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) cleaner, which removes 99.97 percent of particles up to a size of 0.3 microns. The type of air cleaner needed depends on the individual requirements and design of the house.
Does the air in your home smell stale or feel dry? Have an HVAC professional from Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC inspect your home and make recommendations. Call us today at (314) 471-7625.