How Can We Turn Polluted Indoor Air into Clean Quality Air for Your Family?

Did you know that Australians spend more than 90% of their time indoors?

Because of this, it is so crucial that indoor air pollutants be kept to a minimum. Pollutants, such as unflued heaters, chemical odors and dust, cause irritation and illness.

Are you doing enough to combat air pollution in your home? Read on to learn about some important things you can do to improve indoor air quality for you and your family.

What Are Common Air Pollutants in Homes?

Indoor air pollutants range from contaminants brought outdoors by your pets to toxic gas leaks. Another common air pollutant in homes is carbon monoxide emitted by natural gas that permeates into your home. Also, older homes might contain asbestos and lead particles that cause respiratory illnesses.

In bathrooms and kitchens, moisture levels are typically higher than in the rest of your house, making them the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew. All these disease-causing elements can severely impact your health and that of your family.

The following are ten things you can do right away to improve the air quality in your home.

Control Sources of Indoor Pollution

Source control is a highly effective solution to mitigating indoor air pollution.

For example, you can reduce airborne toxins and irritants by regularly servicing and adjusting heaters and stoves to decrease their emissions.

You can also switch to eco-friendly household cleaners. Chemicals in most commercial cleaners might contribute to indoor air pollution.

Filter Airborne Pollutants with an Air Purifier

Air purifiers are terrific at improving indoor air quality. These devices eliminate allergens and pollutants from the air. Air purifiers are incorporated with one or more filters, such as HEPA air filter, UV and activated carbon filters. These components filter air contaminants like dust, pollen and mould spores.

Make sure that the air purifier you purchase is adequate for the room’s size. You must also check the product specification and features to know the type of pollutants a unit is designed to filter.

Move Fresh Air in Your Home

Inadequate ventilation is a significant factor in indoor air pollution in Australia and accounts for 52% of cases of indoor air pollution.

For example, employees stay in buildings that are tightly sealed and insulated to keep out contaminated outdoor air. But the drawback to this is there is very little air circulation. More so, pollution such as smoke, dust and heat will accumulate indoors over time.

To ensure proper ventilation in your home, you can install exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to propel stale air out and optimise fresh air circulation.

This could be inconvenient or impossible, especially for those who live in a small apartment. In this case, investing in a high-quality air purifier may be your best option to clean and freshen the air in your home. Check out hepaairpurifier.com.au for budget-friendly and effective air purifiers.

Keep a Healthy Level of Humidity

Moisture problems are another issue of indoor air pollution and may lead to indoor mould growth.

You must keep a humidity of around 30% to 50% indoors. These levels are ideal for keeping unwanted elements and allergens under control. If your indoor air is too humid, invest in a dehumidifier. This device helps decrease moisture in indoor air and effectively stops allergens.

Other things you can do on a routine basis are opening a window when cooking and fixing leaky plumbing.

Change Your AC Filter

Air-conditioning systems work almost round-the-clock to provide your home with the perfect temperature.

They filter out common air pollutants while they cycle through all that air. Over time, these air filters get clogged and stop doing their job efficiently. Besides causing trouble for your indoor air quality, it also wears down your AC system, which can lead to costly repairs.

Make sure to change your AC filters on schedule or get an HVAC service plan that typically includes a filter change. A service plan is critical, especially if you are prone to allergies or live in an urban area with high levels of pollution.

Check Filters in Your Other Household Appliances

Take note that your AC filter is not the only thing that keeps the air cleaning your home environment.

If you really want to ensure good air quality in your home, check the filters in your other household appliances. Your vacuum cleaner, clothes dryer, and kitchen vents must be inspected and maintained on schedule. It is best to clean or replace these household filters every few months.

Check Your Air Ducts

Air ducts distribute hot and cold air indoors and provide a comfortable climate throughout.

But improperly installed or ill-maintained ducts can do the opposite and distribute contaminants from one room to another. Hence, dust, dander and mould can accrue in your ducts over time and reduce the overall air quality.

Hire an HVAC technician to make sure your ducts are in tiptop condition and circulate fresh, clean air.

Use Cooking Vents

Many indoor air pollutants are released from the kitchen.

Gas stoves, for example, release dangerous carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide contaminants. Even an electrical burner releases those same pollutants as well as other particles that can be absorbed into your bloodstream.

Hence, when cooking, make sure to switch on your kitchen vents or open a window to filter out the air even more.

Keep Your Rugs and Carpets Clean

Did you know that rugs and carpets do more than increase the comfort and appeal of your home? They act as their own air filters!

The many fibres of carpets and rugs trap dust and other particles. Therefore, make sure to clean your carpets and rugs weekly to ensure they keep working for you and improve the air quality in your home.

Place Plants in Your Home to Freshen the Air

Plants are mother nature’s all-natural filters. Small plants like ferns and lilies that bloom indoors and larger palm trees are your best bet to draw out contaminants from the air. Placing a few indoor plants can instantly uplift your space and do wonders for your indoor air quality.

Conclusion

Ensuring that air in your home is pure and breathable will require diligence and preventive maintenance. Consider setting up an appointment with an HVAC professional. Their range of services includes AC filter replacement to help keep your air clean.

Once you have applied the air pollution control methods in this article, you can breathe easy knowing that the air in your home environment is clean and safe!