Aire Serv Shares Tips to Improve Your Home's Indoor Air Quality

We all know that pollution is often associated with outdoor air, but what most people don’t know is that the quality of indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air (according to the Environmental Protection Agency). While that number is already alarming, indoor air quality (IAQ) affects much more than people think. From complications with pregnancy and worsening of allergies to dry skin and respiratory issues, the hidden affects of a home’s IAQ are prevalent (and widely unknown). Luckily, the experts at Aire Serv know of simple ways to improve and maintain the indoor air quality in a home.

• Everything from cleaning products to air fresheners to personal care items give off harmful vapors that become trapped in your home. Avoid chemically laden products and choose non-toxic, non-aerosol, unscented products instead to promote good indoor air quality. You can even make your own nontoxic household cleaners with common items such and vinegar and baking soda.
• Utilize existing spot ventilation around your home. For example, run the bathroom exhaust fan when you shower and clean; flip on the kitchen range vent when you cook and clean; and turn on the laundry room exhaust vent when clothes are drying. These habits help you eliminate pollutants at the source.
• When you vacuum, turn the thermostat setting to ON so the fan blows continuously, drawing up dusty air and filtering it before sending it back into the air you breathe.
• Use “wet cleaning,” not dry cleaning. Perchloroethylene (PERC), a common dry cleaning solvent, is a potential carcinogen. Opt for PERC-free “wet cleaning” instead. If you must dry clean, allow items to off-gas 4-5 days before brining them into the home.
• If your furnace uses natural gas, propane, or oil to keep your house warm, the air quality in your home could become contaminated by dangerous carbon monoxide gas. It’s important to keep it properly and adequately ventilated, or its buildup in your home can be deadly.
• The air filter in your furnace should be cleaned or replaced at least every three months. Irritants and allergens such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites and more build up in dirty filters, increasing exposure and worsening the effects on those with sensitivities.

Ready to breathe easier? Contact Aire Serv today.