5 ways to improve air quality in your home

Breathe easier: 5 ways to improve air quality in your home

Think pollution is only outside your home? Think again.

The truth is the air in your home typically contains anywhere from three to five times as many pollutants as outdoor air – and sometimes significantly more than that. Those are scary numbers considering that you inhale about 15,000 quarts of indoor air every day.

The good news is you can greatly improve air quality in your home simply by making better buying and lifestyle choices. Here are some suggestions:

1. Get greener – Adding live plants to your space helps to remove toxic chemicals and vapors. They look great, too!
2. Choose air-friendly options for home improvement projects – Choose mold resistant (paperless, fiberglass covered) drywall or gypsum board, and use low-VOC paint (VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and even memory impairment).
3. Use healthier cleaning products – or make your own. Avoid toxic, solvent-based cleaners or cleaners with strong fragrances. Instead, try making your own – vinegar and baking soda can do everything from disinfecting counters to cleaning sinks and toilets.
4. Make sure your hobby room is well ventilated – Activities like gluing, spray painting, and wood finishing can create high levels of indoor air pollution. Do them in an extremely well ventilated room – or better yet, do them outside.
5. Consider installing a whole-house Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) solution – If budget allows, there are great options for keeping your home air clean and healthy. A whole house humidifier will prevent your home’s air from getting too dry in the winter (and save your furniture, too), while an ultraviolet (UV) germicidal filter will kill most airborne bacteria and virtually all airborne mold spores. Investing in a quality whole house indoor air purifier is also a great way to keep your home air clean and healthy.

Whole-house Indoor Air Quality systems are surprisingly affordable. Contact us today for a FREE estimate for your home!