Improve Indoor Air Quality With These Seven Tips

Air quality has become a hot button topic recently, for obvious reasons. But in truth, the quality of the air in our homes should always be a hot button topic, considering that it could contain four or five times as much pollution as outdoor air – and that we breathe about 15,000 gallons of it every day.

The good news is that you can greatly indoor air quality by making some simple lifestyle and consumer choices. Here are seven easy changes you can make to help your family breathe a little easier in your Sullivan County home.

7 clean air tips for your home

1. Choose healthier cleaning products. Many mass-market cleaners available today are loaded with nasty chemicals; choose more eco- (and human)-friendly options. Better yet, make your own: homemade vinegar and baking soda cleaners will clean or disinfect just about any material or surface.
2. Choose better building materials. Planning a home improvement project? Spend a little more and get products that are low-VOC and mold resistant, such as fiberglass-covered drywall or gypsum board and low-VOC paint. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) can cause respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment.
3. Add greenery. Common houseplants can help remove formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethane from the air and replace it with oxygen, according to NASA. Top choices include Bamboo Palm, Chinese Evergreen, English Ivy, Ficus, Gerbera, Golden Pothos, Peace Lily, Philodendron, Pot Mum, and Spider Plants.
4. Keep hobby rooms well ventilated. Hobbies are fun, but they often require you to use some highly toxic materials. If you plan to do any paint stripping, gluing, or other toxic activities, be sure to do it in a well-vented room – or better yet, do the work outside.
5. Change HVAC filters every month. The HVAC filter is your home heating system or cooling system’s first line of defense against particles, dust, microorganisms, and allergens, so be sure it’s clean enough to do its job. Check your furnace filters about once a month, cleaning or changing them (depending on the model) when necessary.
6. Maintain your HVAC equipment. Professional HVAC maintenance helps keep your equipment working well, your air circulating properly, and humidification under control. If you haven’t scheduled your annual HVAC tune-up yet this year, contact us to make an appointment today.
7. Consider adding whole house Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) equipment. If budget allows, install indoor air quality equipment, including whole-house air filters and humidifiers/dehumidifiers that can clean your air, optimize moisture levels, and prevent conditions that can lead to mold and microorganism growth. IAQ equipment can be added to your existing or new HVAC system – contact us to learn more.

Breathe easier with furnace maintenance, HVAC installations, and more from the pros at Black Bear. Contact us to learn more about professional heating service in Sullivan County today.

Please note: at Black Bear, your safety and comfort are always our priority. Please see our COVID-19 Service Update Page to learn more about how we are working to keep you and our crews safe and your home comfort systems working through this challenging time.