The Importance of Indoor Air Quality & How to Improve It

While we feel safe from any risks at the comfort of our homes, many people are not aware that the quality of air inside their home is often equally polluted as the outdoor air. Although you can’t control the quality of the air outside of your home, there are actions you can take to improve the quality of the indoor air. 

According to Gustave A. Larson, a distributer of Honeywell and other in-demand manufacturers, ensuring optimal indoor air quality is simple and easy with innovative smart technology. Have a look at why air quality is important and what you can do about it. 

Why is clean air in my home important?

The concentration of air pollutants inside a facility can be 2 to 5 times higher than their concentration outdoors. There are many different sources of pollution and their consequences can follow immediately or months or even years later. 

Immediate symptoms are usually short‐term and treatable, and they usually include coughing, headaches, or sinus congestion. These symptoms resemble those of common viruses, so it’s easy to overlook air pollution as the cause.

Delayed symptoms can be more severe, especially for children and elderly persons. These symptoms usually occur only when it’s too late for effective treatment. 

What are some common sources of indoor air pollution?

Indoor air pollutants can come from many different sources, the most common including new furniture, formaldehyde, poor insulation, wall paint, lead, and cleaning products. While you can pinpoint the sources, you can never know when or how a person may react and what potential consequences may arise. 

You can measure air quality and keep it on a safe level by following the air quality index (AQI). The range of this index is 0 to 500, where any value above 300 shows that air quality is hazardous. According to EPA’s standard, the upper limit indoor quality is 100 and any value above this limit is considered unhealthy. 

What can I do to improve indoor air quality in my home?

With a bit of preventative maintenance and a couple of useful tips, you’ll be able to keep the air in your home on a healthy level. Here are the steps you can take:

Regular service

Your HVAC system is the first line of defense when it comes to keeping outdoor pollutants out of your home. Therefore, making sure the system is in good condition has the biggest impact on your indoor air quality. With regular service, you’ll ensure that your filters are replaced on time, the ducts are clean, and that the entire system works efficiently. 

Replace other filters

Some of your household appliances also use filters that you need to clean and replace when needed. Make sure you check and tend to the filters in your kitchen vents, clothes dryer, and vacuum cleaner every couple of months. If you leave them unattended, they can have the opposite effect and worsen the quality of the indoor air. 

Get some indoor plants

As natural air filters, house plants are a wonderful addition to your home enhancing its design and improving air quality at the same time. Larger plants such as palm trees, but also small plants like lilies and ferns are the perfect choice to pull pollutants out of the air. 

Control humidity

Humid conditions serve as breeding grounds for mildew and mold which can trigger certain respiratory issues such as asthma and allergies. Luckily, you can regulate humidity in your home with the help of quality humidifiers. They can reduce moisture and curb the growth of mold keeping the conditions in your home comfortable and healthy.