Our mental and physical health are both directly tied to the quality of the environments we inhabit and especially the air we breathe. If a living space is unclean or its air is impure, then it will be difficult for the residents to maintain optimal health and a robust quality of life. This is particularly true for more vulnerable members of the population, including children, the elderly, and those with allergies and other health concerns.
Maintaining excellent air quality is essential for ensuring a healthy home environment for you and your family. Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to improve your home’s indoor air quality by taking advantage of modern technology and a few simple tips and tricks.
In the following article, we’ll discuss a few innovative air quality strategies that will maximize the quality and purity of the air you breathe and provide a healthier living space for everyone who lives in your home.
Start By Investing in an Air Monitor
Sometimes, poor air quality is obvious. It causes symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and other respiratory issues, or pollutants are actually visible in the form of dust or other particles. In other cases, it may not be as easy to tell if the air is unhealthy, especially since many of the more dangerous pollutants, including carbon monoxide, are invisible and odorless.
An air monitor installed in a central area can help you track current levels of contaminates in the air in your home. It’ll help you to determine if your air quality strategies are working or if you need to do more to keep your indoor air clean.
Breathe Easier By Controlling Humidity Levels
The amount of humidity in the air can have a major effect on the comfort of a space. It can also affect how healthy an environment is. The ideal humidity level for human habitation is usually 30 to 50 percent. Air that is too humid feels much hotter than it actually is—which anyone who has paid attention to the “Feels Like” temperature on their weather app can attest to. Higher humidity levels also force your body to work harder to try to cool you down and can dehydrate you much faster.
Excessive moisture in the air has another downside: it encourages the growth of mold. Mold can damage a home’s foundation and release harmful spores. Not enough humidity, on the other hand, can be just as bad for your health. Dry air can irritate soft tissues, leading to sore throats, inflamed eyes, and other skin problems.
You can control the humidity levels in your home by having a humidifier and dehumidifier installed in your HVAC system. This will help to keep the moisture level at a place that is comfortable for you.
Keep Dust at Bay With HEPA Filters and Air Purifiers
Dust is a fact of life. It’s made from essentially everything you see around you: flakes of skin, pieces of your carpet and other fabric, pet dander, and other particles. As it forms, dust enters the air and circulates with the airflow into each room of the home, eventually accumulating anywhere it can reach. Too much dust in the air can exacerbate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues, as well as lead to other long-term health complications.
There’s no way to prevent dust from forming, but you can get it under control once it enters your air. Your HVAC system already has air filters in place to catch most dust, but they can be overwhelmed, and more advanced technology can improve on this further. State-of-the-art HEPA filters, air purifiers, and air cleaners can trap the smallest dust particles and allergens, deactivate bacteria and viruses, and even remove odors, making your home a much healthier place.
Kill Germs With Ultraviolet Light
Many of the best and most advanced modern air purifiers also make use of ultraviolet light—the same type provided by good, old sunshine—to kill potentially dangerous microorganisms that would otherwise be carried through your air supply. These include the viruses that cause cold, flu, and the Coronavirus, as well as mold and other pathogens.
UV light serves as an excellent disinfectant because it physically destroys viruses, bacteria, and mold spores. It’s not a chemical, so unlike other methods of killing germs, it doesn’t leave a residue that can enter your bloodstream. It is also not possible for viruses and bacteria to develop a resistance to it, as they can with many chemical disinfectants. It simply breaks down the proteins of which they’re made, rendering them inert and unable to cause illness.
Ask Your HVAC Professional to Improve Your Ventilation
The last strategy we’ll cover is partnering with HVAC experts who are trained in the latest techniques and technologies. To truly maximize the air quality in your home, ask your HVAC professional how you can optimize your ventilation.
As we mentioned above, a buildup of dust can block even the best filtration system, which will eventually force pollutants back into your indoor environment. Other factors can also contribute to poor ventilation inside the home, such as an inadequate duct system or blocked vents. Proper ventilation, however, can mitigate these issues and more.
Depending on your needs, your HVAC pro may recommend adding HVAC zones that control airflow to separate areas of the home. They will also help you set up a regular maintenance plan to keep your HVAC system in good working condition.
Contact the experienced HVAC professionals at All Weather Heating & Cooling to help turn your living space into a healthy home. We are a long-time Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer and only work with the highest quality team members. We’ll work with you to find innovative air quality solutions for your home. Breathe easy knowing that you’re in good hands.