Do you feel as if every pollen season feels worse and worse as time goes on? It’s not in your head. Studies have shown that pollen season begins earlier and stays longer, affecting more people in the process.
Pollution and pollen season have an interesting relationship that not many people know about. As the air becomes more polluted, plants have to learn to grow in stressed environments, causing them to release more allergens.
The increase in pollen outdoors can impact indoor air quality greatly. Tennessee has a long allergy season from late February through November. As we wait out the allergy storm, it’s important to know how to improve indoor air quality.
Keep reading to learn six tips for improving air quality indoors in Morristown.
6 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality
1. Keep the Air Flowing Freely
If you are looking for a cost-effective way to improve indoor air quality, ventilation is key.
You can keep air flowing freely in your house by opening doors and windows. However, it’s important to check the pollen count in Morristown before testing this out. Polluted outdoor air will defeat the purpose of this strategy.
Another affordable method of improving indoor air quality is consistently changing out your filters. Heating and air conditioning filters get dirty quickly, especially if you have pets in the home.
Make it a habit to check and replace these filters every three months to avoid pollutants getting back into the air.
It may be a good idea to work with an HVAC company that can check the health of your vents. Poor ventilation can cost a pretty penny to fix, but you and your home will thank you.
During this checkup, a professional can look for cracks around your doors and windows. These open spaces can let hot air in while your AC is running, making it work harder to cool the home.
2. Invest in an Air Purifier
You can achieve home air purity with an air purifier. Air purifiers work to create a healthy home environment filtering unwanted pollutants out of the air.
While there are many different air purifiers that you can invest in, consider one with a HEPA filter. These filters are well-known to remove more particles from the air than others.
Air purifiers don’t eliminate all pollutants from the air, but they do a good job of removing some. HEPA filters, for example, can remove bacteria, dust, pollen, and mold elements from the air.
If you want to remove VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from the air, carbon filters are your best bet. VOCs are found in some cleaning products you might be using to tidy up your home.
Air purifiers aren’t effective for removing smoke from the air. No filter has succeeded in eliminating carbon monoxide from the air. This is because air purifiers in general cannot seize gases in the air of your home.
3. Understand Common Pollution Sources
One of the best indoor air quality tips is to learn about the sources of pollution. Many of them come from products you may be using daily without knowing it.
Cleaning products like bleach, glass cleaners, and cleaning sprays can contain dangerous chemicals that stay in the air. Even some air fresheners are harmful to your breathing.
You can avoid excess pollutants from cleaning products by opting for nontoxic ingredients. DIYing your own cleaners with natural products can greatly reduce your risks.
Formaldehyde is a VOC that causes pollution in the home. It’s commonly found in composite wood. Try to avoid this material when you can to prevent overexposure.
Secondhand smoke and thirdhand smoke can cause health concerns as well. Secondhand smoke is exhaled cigarette smoke that stays trapped in the air if you smoke indoors.
Thirdhand smoke poses a health risk as well and is found on surfaces that absorb it. Your clothes could cause thirdhand smoke to get indoors.
4. Eradicate Irritants in the Home
All indoor spaces have some irritants that get worse if you avoid them. Dust and dust mites are two very common ones that can be found anywhere.
If you regularly dust and clean your home, you will build a better breathing space. Avoiding allergens can eliminate uncomfortable symptoms like a sore throat, watery eyes, and a runny nose.
If you begin feeling these symptoms more, consider getting the air quality in your home checked.
5. Reduce the Chance of Mold Growth
Mold is toxic and can cause allergies and poor indoor air quality. Keeping moisture out of the air of your home is the best way to prevent mold growth.
If you experience signs of mold, check your roof and attic for leaks that might be contributing to moisture in the home. A professional can also check your foundation and your basement if you have one.
Keeping the air flowing with fans and open windows can also prevent moisture from getting trapped in the home. You can invest in a dehumidifier if your home feels especially humid.
6. Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
Your HVAC system is an integral part of your journey to better indoor air. Scheduling regular maintenance with Budget Heating and Air Conditioning helps increase the efficiency of your unit.
When your system has to work harder to heat or cool your home, it can’t work at maximum efficiency. Regular HVAC maintenance with our professionals includes:
- Inspection
- Cleaning
- Filter replacement
- Calibration and adjustment
- Testing and safety checks
While there are many benefits to preventative maintenance, indoor air quality is at the top of the list. Working systems and new filters remove contaminants from the air.
For Indoor Air Quality Services in Morristown, TN, Contact Budget Heating & Air Conditioning for Service
If you desire a healthier living environment, use these tips to improve indoor air quality in your Morristown home.
With the help of the pros at Budget Heating and Air Conditioning, you mitigate your risk of breathing in dangerous pollutants and allergens. Our team can conduct an air quality test and recommend the best plan of action.
We are a family-owned and operated business that you can trust to be reliable, quick, and efficient. We’ve been serving Morristown and surrounding communities since 1982.
Request a free quote for air quality services and more today.
