Autumn is well under way, and homes in the Dayton are already shutting their windows and turning on the furnace. But how is the indoor air quality in your home? According to the federal EPA, two main factors can cause pollution and reduce indoor air quality: particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants.
When thinking of PM, imagine tobacco smoke or dust. Pollen, mold and viruses are also considered in this category. Toxic chemicals also can emit gaseous pollutants, from inside or outside the home.
How can you reduce pollution in the home and improve indoor air quality?
Here are some tips:
- Good ventilation. Keep air flowing between the inside and outside of your home with quality ventilation. The easiest way to do this is by opening your windows and doors during good weather. But what about in the winter or the heat of summer? Installing bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, otherwise called localized ventilation, can help.
- Stop pollution at the source. Carbon monoxide detectors can save lives; get them installed in your home and protect your loved ones. Schedule annual maintenance on your HVAC equipment to make sure it’s properly venting dangerous gases.
- Get an air cleaner. You can have air cleaning devices installed in your home, or purchase one or more portable units. This technology filters the air in your home, and diffuses the air to break up concentrations of pollutants. There are a number of air-cleaning technologies available in equipment on the market. Talk to your HVAC technician to find one that’s right for your home.
- Air filter. Similarly, make sure you install an efficient air filter in your furnace, heat pump or A/C, and then check and change it regularly.
Ace Hardware Home Services has provided quality HVAC services in the Dayton area for more than three generations.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in North Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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