You might be surprised to learn that the air inside your home in Northglenn could be more polluted and less healthy than the outdoor air. Indoor air pollution may cause you and your family to experience a wide variety of symptoms from nasal and sinus congestion to throat irritation, headaches, and breathing troubles. Here are seven ways you can maintain healthy indoor air at home and how our technicians at Unique Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. can help.
1. Maintain Healthy Humidity Levels
The ideal indoor humidity level is 40 to 50%. At this level, viruses and bacteria dry out and are less able to infect your lungs. This humidity level also keeps your hair and skin healthy. If the humidity in your home is higher, mold could thrive. Mold spores may cause you to experience a wide variety of health problems, including headaches, skin irritation, and sinus congestion. A whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier will control humidity levels.
2. Avoid Burning Wood
While a fireplace looks pretty, it generates particles that blow throughout your home. Breathing in those particles could cause you to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other lung diseases. Wood boilers, which are also called hydronic heaters, are also a bad idea. These are systems that burn wood in order to heat water.
3. Prohibit Smoking in Your Home
Do not allow anyone to smoke or vape inside your home. Secondhand and thirdhand smoke is a major source of indoor air pollution. Exposure to the particles from the smoke can cause a nonsmoker to develop lung diseases and breathing problems. The smoke and particles saturate all of the surfaces in your home, contaminating flooring, upholstery, fabric, and more. Even wallpaper and drywall absorb the chemicals.
4. Skip Chemical Air Fresheners
You might be tempted to spray air freshener after someone uses the bathroom or after your cat uses its litter box. Perhaps you enjoy burning scented candles or incense. These products contribute to indoor air pollution. They release particles into the air, including volatile organic compounds. Those compounds can interfere with your breathing as the particles can get trapped in your lungs. Instead of trying to mask odors, look for their source. Fix the problem instead of masking it. That might mean emptying the litter box twice daily or adding more ventilation to parts of your home.
5. Change HVAC Filters
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system has a filter. Some have reusable filters, and others use disposable filters. The filter should be checked every 30 days and replaced every 90 days or sooner. When the air filter becomes full, dust, mold spores, and other particles will blow through your home’s air vents and into your living areas. A clean filter captures those particles. Our technicians at Unique Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. change the air filters during routine maintenance visits. You can also check and replace the air filters between tune-ups.
6. Fix Mold-Causing Water Leaks
A leaky water fixture or pipe could be fueling mold and mildew growth in your home. Mold spores are so light that the air blowing out of your home’s vents is enough to float them into every nook and cranny. By fixing the leak, you eliminate the necessary source of moisture that mold needs in order to grow. It’s also a good idea to look around your home’s perimeter for areas of poor drainage and correct them. You might need to make a correction to the grading around your foundation.
7. Choose Low- or No-VOC Home Furnishings
Furniture, fabric, carpeting, and paint are major sources of indoor air pollution. When you purchase a new item for your home, look into its materials. Choose items that have no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If you engage in hobbies that involve using glues, paints, or sealants, choose supplies that do not contain any VOCs. If you aren’t sure, do your hobbies in a well-ventilated area. Allow furniture, plastic goods, and new fabrics to off-gas before you bring them into your home. Most new items will need at least 72 hours of constant air circulation in order to release the majority of their VOCs.
Our technicians at Unique Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. also provide cooling and heating system maintenance, repairs, and installation services for all types of residential and commercial systems. Various other services we are proud to provide include preventive maintenance plans, air purifiers, and indoor air quality solutions. Call Unique Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. today for additional details about maintaining healthy indoor air at your home in Northglenn.
