How to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

Reduce the Presence of Airborne Allergens, Mold, and More in Your Household

While outdoor air quality and environmental pollution are topics of frequent discussion when it comes to health and longevity, another important subject that people often neglect is indoor air quality (IAQ). According to the EPA, indoor air quality refers to “the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.”

There are various pollutants that can affect your home’s IAQ, including (but not limited to):

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Pollen
• Airborne pathogens
• Dust
• Mold and plant spores
• Tobacco smoke
• Aerosols

These pollutants can come from a number of different sources, such as fuel-burning appliances, household cleaning products, HVAC systems, or even pets like cats and dogs. Here in Jackson, relatively humid can also have an effect on your home’s IAQ, as higher amounts of water vapor in the air can increase the concentration of airborne pollutants.

Many people fail to address air quality issues in their own homes, which can lead to a number of short-term and long-term health risks. Everyone is different, and some people may be more sensitive to these particles than others. But, even if you don’t notice the immediate effects of poor IAQ, you should still be aware of the risks that it can pose.

The short and long-term health risks associated with poor IAQ can include:

• Irritation of the eyes, nose, and/or throat
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Respiratory and cardiovascular disease
• Cancer

People with certain allergies or conditions like asthma may be more sensitive to airborne pollutants, but poor IAQ can affect everyone. At Aire Serv of Jackson, we want to help you better understand the importance of maintaining a healthy IAQ in your household, and give you the tools you need to do so. While the number of variables that influence IAQ may seem daunting and impossible to control, it can actually be much simpler than it seems.

5 Ways to Improve IAQ at Home

Following these guidelines can help you improve your home’s IAQ and overall cleanliness, in addition to helping you and your family stay happy and healthy.

1. Reduce Pollutant Sources in Your Home

First and foremost, it is important to reduce and remove the potential sources of airborne pollutants that exist in your home. This could include a number of preventative measures, such as never smoking indoors, keeping pets properly brushed and groomed, or utilizing less aerosols or other harsh chemical products. These are cost effective and simple ways to improve IAQ.

2. Properly Manage Your Home’s Moisture Levels

Controlling your home’s humidity and moisture levels is very important when it comes to IAQ, as more moisture in the air can increase the presence of airborne pollutants. Make sure that bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas where moisture is present are properly ventilated. If you have a leaking sink or toilet, have it fixed immediately to prevent the spread of moisture and potential mold growth.

However, you don’t want the air in your home to become too dry, either. This can also cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat as well as other issues. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are helpful tools that keep your home in the “Goldilocks Zone”: not too dry, but not too wet.

3. Regularly Clean Porous Surfaces

Keeping up with household cleaning is another way to improve the IAQ in your home. Porous surfaces like carpets, rugs, drapes, shades, and bedding are all prone to trapping dust and other particles. Making sure these surfaces are regularly cleaned will help reduce these contaminants in your home.

4. Keep Up with Routine HVAC System Maintenance

Making sure your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are properly maintained is another important factor in improving IAQ. Things like cleaning heating coils and changing air filters will reduce the concentration of particles that these systems can present in your home. Additionally, ensuring your home’s ducts cleaned on a regular schedule will reduce the number of airborne pollutants that enter your home through vents and duct work.

5. Utilize Air Purifiers for Further Improvement

After you’ve covered the basics, investing in air purifiers can help improve your home’s IAQ even further. An air purifier pulls in air form the surrounding space and uses an internal filter to remove unwanted particles, enhancing the IAQ around them. Some air purifiers are small and easy to install, providing coverage for individual rooms. Other units can provide coverage for your entire home but require professional installation. The right air purifier for your home will depend on your needs and budget.

With these various tools and best practices in mind, you can improve the IAQ of your home. If you’re curious about where your air quality currently stands, one of our experts at Aire Serv of Jackson can conduct air quality testing to determine whether or not it needs significant improvement. We prioritize the health and safety of our customers, and have the tools and experience needed to help you improve IAQ long term.