Start the New Year Right by Improving Your Indoor Air

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to be healthier, and this begins with the air you breathe at home. Typically, indoor air has more harmful pollutants than outdoor air. This is because air pollutants get trapped inside the home and accumulate over time. These pollutants lead to respiratory symptoms, headaches, cancer, and other concerns. Sources of indoor air pollution include allergens, airborne cooking particles, smoke, chemicals, mildew, and mold. Here are some key air quality improvement steps.

Clean Your Air Filters

Your HVAC system circulates indoor air pollutants as it runs, but it can also help trap and remove pollutants. Air filters act as a screen as the air rushes through them. The tight mesh in the filters traps many pollutants. This allows you to easily remove the pollutants by replacing the filters regularly. To be fully effective, however, the air filters must be clean. Generally, you must replace or clean air filters every month or two. Check your HVAC system’s recommendations, and create a reminder to do this chore routinely.

Schedule Air Duct Cleaning

If it’s been a long time since your air ducts were professionally cleaned, this important service is due. HVAC experts recommend having it performed every three to five years. Pollutants that enter your HVAC system accumulate slowly inside the ducts. Some of these pollutants break free and recirculate in the air. This becomes problematic as the dirt inside the ducts increases. Because of the difficulty accessing the ducts and the potential for damage, hire a pro to do this job.

Invest in Air Purification Solutions

Smaller air purifiers can remove pollutants from a single room, including the tiniest pollutants that air filters don’t trap. Some of these include bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. Air purifiers are also more effective at removing cooking-related pollutants and chemicals from the air. In addition to single-room systems, whole home purification systems are available. They offer a more comprehensive and effortless solution.

Focus on Ventilation

Ventilation systems allow the transfer of polluted indoor air to the outside, and they bring cleaner outdoor air into the home. Most homes have smaller ventilation features over the range, in the laundry room, and in the bathrooms. However, these vents only work if you remember to use them regularly. Consider upgrading to a full-house ventilation system that routinely operates for better results.

With a focus on improving your health going into the new year, improving your home’s indoor air is the first step. For guidance and solutions for air quality improvement, call ProFlo Air Conditioning, Heating, & Plumbing in Temecula, CA today.