For many homeowners, houseplants are nice decorations that add a touch of life to a room. Did you know that those pretty plants can actually work for you?
Pollutants in Your Home
Some houseplants are excellent filters for different types of gases and chemicals found in the air. As houses get more energy efficient, they also become more airtight. This means that gases from building materials, furniture and flooring, electronics, and pollutants that come from in from outdoors tend to get trapped in our homes.
Air filters or UV air filtration systems do a good job of removing some of these pollutants, but it never hurts to give them a hand. Houseplants can help improve the indoor air quality in your home while also giving you the enjoyment of watching them grow.
Boost Indoor Air Quality With Houseplants
There are a wide variety of plants that filter the air. Choosing a good one for you should be based on the amount of sun and space you have available, how knowledgeable you are about growing plants, and whether you have pets or children who are prone to nibbling anything in reach.
For example, aloe vera is a common plant found in many homes. It’s easy to grow, doesn’t need constant attention, and is generally safe for humans. It also does a great job of filtering formaldehyde. It is toxic to both dogs and cats and should be kept up out of their reach if you have it in your home.
A safer choice for both dogs and cats is the Wax Begonia, a lovely plant with pink, red, or white flowers. It needs a lot of sunlight and doesn’t like cold temperatures (below 60 degrees). It is a good plant for filtering benzene, a cancer-causing gas that gets into the air through vehicle emissions and other methods.
Want a flowering plant? The Peace Lily is both easy to grow and filters ammonia, formaldehyde, and other gases.
For more tips about improving your indoor air quality with houseplants and other creative HVAC ideas for the Dayton area, contact Ace Hardware Home Services today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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