Summer is here, and for many, that means plenty of time spent outside, enjoying the sunshine. However, it’s also expected to be a hot one, and when it’s too hot outside, nothing is better than shutting all the doors and windows and cranking up the air conditioning. Staying indoors means paying attention to the air quality, though, which is why our experts at All Weather Heating & Cooling have put together a few indoor air quality solutions to help you breathe easy this summer.
How the Air Affects Your Health
The impact air quality has on the human body is an ongoing area of study, but a great deal of research has indicated a link between indoor air pollution and a variety of health conditions, particularly those affecting the respiratory system. Conditions such as asthma, allergies, COPD, and others that impact the airways can be triggered or worsened by impurities in the air. Indoor pollution has also been linked to cardiovascular diseases and neurological problems.
For this reason, it’s crucial that homeowners make an effort to improve the quality of the air in their houses. It can lead to improved health and well-being for the inhabitants within.
What Causes Poor Air Quality?
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of factors that impact the quality of the air in your home. The excretions of microorganisms, such as dust mites, can quickly fill an area if they are not properly controlled; mold spores, which contain harmful mycotoxins, are another potential biological contaminant.
The byproducts of human habitation, including aerosolized cleaning products, contaminants produced by gas stoves, and even the chemicals used in scented candles, can also negatively impact the air quality. Carpet fibers, pet dander, and other sources of dust and dirt are also major contributors to indoor pollution. Finally, of course, the outdoor environment also greatly affects the indoor one, and homes near factories, wildfires, and other polluters are also heavily impacted.
Solution #1: Minimize Indoor Pollutants
The first step, of course, is to eliminate as many of the sources of indoor pollution as possible. Seek out natural cleaning products that use fewer chemicals, and avoid using spray cans indoors whenever you are able. As much as is practical, keep pets off carpets and furniture to prevent dander from accumulating there. Vacuum regularly and make sure to wash bedsheets frequently to kill dust mites before they can breed out of control.
Whenever possible, utilize fans to keep the air moving throughout your building, particularly when cooking or performing other activities that may introduce impurities into the indoor atmosphere. Invest in a vacuum cleaner with a built-in filter, as this can help remove impurities from the air rather than simply blowing them around as you clean.
Solution #2: Upgrade Filtration
During the summer months, it’s likely the air in your home will continuously cycle through the HVAC system, meaning it will be transported throughout your house over and over again. Any pollutants in the environment will be pulled along by this flow of air, which is why air conditioning systems are outfitted with filtration systems that catch dust, dirt, and other impurities. One of the easiest indoor air quality solutions is to ask your HVAC contractor to upgrade your filtration system.
Ask for a system with a higher minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating, which refers to its ability to capture smaller particles. A higher MERV rating means that more impurities will be removed from the air, leading to a greater level of air quality.
Solution #3: Use Air Purifiers
In many homes, particularly those in urban areas or other regions where the general air quality is not especially high, simple HVAC filtration is not enough to achieve optimal air purity. If this is the case, investing in air purifiers, either as part of your HVAC system or as separate, portable units, can be an excellent way to further remove impurities from your indoor environment. Look for HEPA-certified filters. HEPA stands for “high efficiency particulate air” and refers to filtration technology that can remove impurities as small as 0.3 microns.
HEPA filters can catch 99.7 percent of dust, as well as many other impurities. They can remove mold spores, dust mites, and even carbon particles and other microscopic contaminants. High-quality air purifiers also use other technologies, such as ultraviolet light, to destroy bacteria, viruses, and other harmful contaminants.
Solution #4: Control Humidity
Humidity, which is broadly defined as the presence of water vapor in the air, has a major impact both on indoor air quality and on human health. Excessive humidity can interfere with the body’s ability to cool itself, as moisture in the air can prevent sweat from evaporating off the skin effectively. This moisture can also encourage the growth of mold, dust mites, and other pollution-causing organisms.
Recent studies have also reconfirmed the negative health impacts of extremely low levels of humidity, as dry air seems to reduce the immune response and increase the likelihood of infection from the viruses that cause colds, the flu, and other viruses. Moisture particles can also trap bacteria and viruses and carry them downward, preventing inhabitants from breathing them in. When it is lacking, people are more likely to breathe in pathogens.
The ideal range of relative humidity for human health is around 30 to 50 percent, and it can be measured with the help of an inexpensive instrument called a hygrometer. This device can detect the presence of water vapor in the air, allowing you to determine if it’s necessary to run a humidifier or dehumidifier to maintain the proper relative humidity levels. Note that running your HVAC system, whether for heating or cooling, tends to have a drying effect on the air. Therefore, investing in a good humidifier is a must for the winter and summer months.
Solution #5: Schedule HVAC Maintenance
Over time, the continuous operation of your HVAC system can itself impact the indoor air quality significantly. Filters will become suffused with dust and dirt and become clogged, ultimately resulting in more harmful impurities in the indoor atmosphere. An improperly maintained HVAC system will also become less efficient, forcing it to work longer and harder and further leading to blocked filtration systems. Investing in regular HVAC maintenance is one of the best indoor air quality solutions for your home.
Preventative maintenance on your HVAC system should be performed at least once a year, and more regularly if you live in an area with low air quality. Contact a trusted, licensed professional like All Weather Heating & Cooling to ensure you and your loved ones can breathe easy during the hottest days of summer.
