6 Helpful Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is something that many homeowners take for granted. However, it requires effort and proactivity if you want to keep the oxygen in your Metuchen, NJ home consistently clean and healthy. Although you might not even realize what’s happening, poor indoor air quality can lead to respiratory problems, exacerbated allergy and asthma symptoms, and cardiovascular issues. So, to keep everyone in your home healthy and comfortable, it’s worth taking measures to maintain clean air. Here, we’ll cover a few straightforward ways to improve the overall air quality inside your living space.

1. Utilize an Air Purifier

Purchasing a high-quality air purifier is an excellent option for improving your home’s indoor air quality. Air purification systems work by actively removing a variety of contaminants from the oxygen. Typically, these devices utilize a fan and an air filter, consistently pulling through air while catching the majority of the pollutants. At First Choice Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, we offer The PureAir air purification system, which our team can install directly onto your household HVAC system. This system does an exceptional job of removing a variety of nasty odors and chemical vapors from the air. There are other types of air purifiers available as well, some of which can be placed all around your living space to keep the air nice and fresh.

2. Replace HVAC Air Filters Frequently

The heating and cooling systems in your household are equipped with air filters. As these appliances run, these filters trap many of the airborne contaminants, preventing them from being cycled into the system and around your dwelling. When your HVAC air filters are clean, it not only keeps your indoor air healthy, but it also makes it easy for your HVAC system to function smoothly and efficiently. The filters only can catch so many contaminant particles before they become dirty and obstructed, though. Once that happens, they are no longer able to trap pollutants, which significantly worsens your indoor air quality. Plus, the dirty filters restrict the airflow of your heating and cooling units, which can prevent them from doing their jobs effectively.

If you haven’t replaced your HVAC air filters in several months, doing so could be a great way to improve your home’s air quality. And if possible, try to continue switching the filters out for new ones every couple of months. This is especially important during the summer and winter months when you rely more heavily on your HVAC appliances.

3. Buy Indoor Plants

If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your household’s indoor air quality, consider purchasing some indoor plants. Many types of plants that will look beautiful in your home are capable of removing pollutants from the air. You can improve the aesthetic of your interior while also making your oxygen healthier to breathe. Granted, you’ll need to select the right kinds of plants, and you’ll need to introduce several of them to make a significant difference. However, this is a unique and simple method for improving indoor air quality. Some of the plants that are known to remove airborne contaminants include English ivy, dragon trees, spider plants, peace lilies, and lemon button ferns.

4. Control the Humidity

The current humidity level of your home depends on multiple factors, including the weather and your household habits. Many homeowners overlook controlling the humidity level when looking to improve indoor air quality. However, if the air in your home is either too dry or too humid, it can have several adverse effects.

Too much moisture in the air can make you uncomfortably sweaty, cause respiratory issues, and create an environment where mold and mildew can flourish. If the air lacks moisture, it can cause your skin to become dry, cracked, and irritated. It can also irritate your eyes, nose, and throat and leave you with a dry mouth.

Sometimes, an air conditioning system can help correct overly humid air. If you want to keep your home as healthy and comfortable as possible, you may want to purchase both a humidifier and a dehumidifier. If you live in a humid climate, you may want to consider having us install Humiditrol, a whole home dehumidification system.

5. Improve the Ventilation

Keeping your home properly ventilated can go a long way toward improving your indoor air quality. When a household isn’t well ventilated, the air becomes stagnant. Over time, the contaminants that are present will linger and build up. This not only leads to poor indoor air quality but can also create unpleasant odors in your house. There are several ways that you can improve your home’s ventilation. The easiest way is to make a point each day to open a couple of windows. Even keeping them open for 20 or 30 minutes per day will allow quite a bit of fresh air to blow into your home and push some of the stale air out.

Another option for improving ventilation is utilizing exhaust fans. If you already have exhaust fans, consider running them more often. For example, make sure that your bathroom fan is on every time you take a shower and your kitchen fan every time you cook. If your current fans aren’t doing the trick, you can upgrade to a new ventilation system, which brings in fresh air to dilute the stale indoor air.

6. Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned

Generally, there’s a major correlation between the status of your air ducts and the quality of your indoor air. Over time, your ductwork will accumulate contaminants, and there’s not much you can do to stop that. When you wait too long to have the air ducts cleaned, problems can begin.

Things like mold, dust, dirt, and even pest droppings will often show up inside the ducts. For one thing, a large percentage of those pollutant particles will get picked up by the air your HVAC system circulates. As a result, they will get circulated to all areas of your living space, and you’ll end up breathing them. Additionally, your HVAC system will have to work significantly harder to push through the contaminants in the ductwork. That will worsen its energy efficiency and performance, and the odds of a mechanical problem will rise.

If you want to avoid these HVAC issues and keep your air clean, you need to schedule a professional duct cleaning at least once every two or three years. During the cleaning, we can inspect your air ducts for any leaks or damage. If they find anything, catching the problem early could save you money and hassle down the road.

In the greater Metuchen area, you can always count on our team at First Choice Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical for expert indoor air quality services. If you like, our team can inspect your household and advise you on the best options for improving the air quality. Our other offerings include comprehensive heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services. If you want to learn more or schedule an appointment, contact us at First Choice Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical today.