The last thing you want to do when the temperatures soar or plummet is to leave the windows open in your home. When your home is completely sealed, though, the air quality within your home may actually be worse than it is outdoors. There are a variety of pollutants and contaminants that can affect interior air quality, some of which are much more common than others.
Biological contaminants like dust mites, pet dander and mold can all have a serious impact on members of your family that suffer from environmental allergies. Dust can also be problematic, but is an issue whose severity is reduced by the use of a vacuum cleaner with a high-quality filter. Air duct cleaining can also help reduce the amount of airborne contaminants in your home while improving the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
During the winter months, combustion gases used to fuel a gas furnace can build up inside of your home. Burning fuels produce nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if they linger in your home. A properly-operating system vents these gases outside where they’re dispersed harmlessly, but a leak can have fatal results. Make sure that you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector in your home, as the gas is colorless, odorless and almost impossible to detect otherwise. Pesticides use to control insects in your home can actually remain in your home long after they’re used, reducing the air quality inside.
While making sure that your air filters are replaced regularly can make a noticeable difference in your air quality, the most effective way of clearing the air in your home is to install an indoor air cleaner. Contacting a licensed and experienced HVAC consultant in your area to discuss filtration and air quality improvement options will take you one step closer to the clean, clear air you need to keep everyone in your family breathing freely.
