Maintaining indoor air quality, especially in the winter time, can be challenging in colder climates where opening a window isn't always an option. Indoor air quality testing in homes reveals microparticle allergens that can cause eye, nose, throat and respiratory irritation. Keeping your home clean and using the right air filters and natural air purifiers help cut down on allergens and improve indoor air quality.
Air Filtration Systems
Improve indoor air quality by installing an air filtration system. These systems work with forced air furnaces and air conditioners to clean the air inside your home. Air purification systems use UVA light filtration and other high density filtration systems to rid your home's air of 95 percent of dust particles, mold, pet dander, mildew, chemical vapors and odors.
Air Filtration Maintenance
Every furnace has some type of clean-air filtration system built in. Although not always as advanced as air cleaning systems, furnace filters do provide some level of air cleaning. Keep the filters clean and free from debris to help these systems do their jobs. Changing your furnace filter regularly improves your indoor air quality and helps your furnace and air conditioner run more efficiently.
Natural Air Filtration
Indoor air is naturally cleaned by house plants. House plants help balance the internal humidity of the air inside the home, which helps control the growth of mold and mildew. Houseplants also help reduce the amount of chemical gasses in the home, making theindoor air quality better for everyone. The best houseplants to help improve indoor air quality in your home include palm plants, fern, English Ivy, rubber plants, weeping fig and certain varieties of dracaena.
Clean Home For Clean Air
Keeping your home free of dust, dirt and pet hair will also improve your indoor air quality. Vacuums with HEPA filtration cut down on air-borne allergens. Dusting furniture, under beds and inside closets regularly takes care of dust and pet hair. Washing curtains, rugs and bedspreads regularly cuts down on dust mites. Have everyone take off their shoes before entering to minimize outside dirt and dust.
Fresh Air Exchange
Even in the coldest climates, opening your windows for a few minutes a few times a week helps improve indoor quality air standards. Letting in fresh air long enough to exchange the air throughout the home helps move the allergens out and let clean air in.