In previous articles, we analyzed a small wealth of information demonstrating the value of Indoor Air Quality. We reviewed a list of different sources of indoor air pollution and demonstrated how hazardous some of these airborne toxins can be if not caught and removed. Also, we described the typical health effects of air pollution in our homes or workplaces and went over a list of some of the many services and products we at Delaware Heating & Air make available as part of our mission to help homeowners breathe cleaner, safer and healthier indoor air.
Now, to wrap up our four-part series, we present a short list of D-I-Y tips for homeowners to improve the air quality in their home.
The “V” is For Ventilation
Before you go to cook in your kitchen, and before you take a shower, always keep in mind how proper ventilation is your friend. When it comes to ventilation, you want to use as much of it as possible. Therefore, any time you spray something or do something that sends out even a little bit of smoke or steam (or if something kicks up any dirt or dust of any sort), you should use as much ventilation as possible..
Why is ventilation so crucial?
If you remember, we mentioned earlier in this series how our homes are air tight and this kind of airborne stuff gets trapped inside. Most people don’t even realize their bathrooms release more moisture into their home than anywhere else.
Similarly, we need to be mindful of our kitchen, which is another prevalent origin of air pollution in homes; kitchens “cook up” a slew of fumes emanating from our baking, cooking, cleaning and dishwashing activities. They send out a steady stream of grease, smoke, carcinogens, and other airborne vapors in the average home.
Anytime you observe aerosol spray, smoke or any other type of fumes or particles floating around, (or you see or smell the slightest sign of anything going airborne in your home), it would benefit your Indoor Air Quality (and health) tremendously if you kept one thing in mind: Ventilation is Our Friend. If you can’t find a ventilator and all else has failed, you can simply crack open a window to let the stuff out. If you do use your window, using a household fan will go a long way to blow that pollution out.
The bottom line is that ventilation is vital.
Smart Dusting 101
If things like mold, dust, dirt, pollen, and other particles make their way in a home, it can turn the quality of air in there quite hazardous. Every homeowner should do their best to eliminate as many of these sources as possible.
One strategy we suggest something known as “smart dusting.”
What exactly is “smart dusting?” You might be asking.
“Smart dusting” is a fairly simple, common sense approach to cleaning that you might already know about. When it’s time to dust your home, remember the objective is to try to trap and remove all of the dust rather than pushing it around, as some do, and having it end up on another source or on the ground. “Smart dust” begins in the highest parts of your home
By dusting these higher areas off first, it puts you in a position to remove all the dust because as you complete each area, you will move downward to the lower items in need of dusting. As you are doing this, you will see how the dust falls downward naturally. So, since you’re working your way downward, the dust that’s falling doesn’t end up on a surface you’ve already dusted.This way you won’t have to back-track. In this way, our “smart dusting” method equips you to clean out the dust more efficiently.
However, it doesn’t stop there.. There’s more:
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We suggest making your “smart dusting” even “smarter,” by doing it using a dampened cloth rather than that dirty old feather duster that barely worked or a dry rag merely pushes the dust around from one surface to another. Using a dampened cloth will do a much better job of collecting all the dust. Just remember to rinse out the cloth intermittently and give it a good wringing out before using it again..
Also be advised, before you start dusting, don’t forget those ceiling fans, blinds and curtains should come first.
Protect Pillows From Dust Mites
There’s nothing better than getting home after a long day at work and at the end of your evening you get into bed to snuggle up to your favorite pillow.
Strangely enough, scientists say, you aren’t the only one that loves that comfy fluffy pillow. Tiny dust mites love our pillows and love to call them home. This unsettling revelation became better understood with recent studies revealing how mattresses and pillows put on a small amount of weight over time because these tiny critters leave their droppings and other forms of waste behind. Once you completely grasp this, you probably won’t look at pillows the same again.
The best solution for keeping these at bay is getting washable pillowcase covers, which we suggest for the betterment of your indoor air quality. Protecting your pillows with pillowcases enables you to enjoy your favorite pillow without these tiny bugs. Furthermore, you can keep your pillowcase clean by washing it once every month. And, depending on the type of pillow you have, you can usually wash it every season when the weather changes.
Protect Your Mattresses and Beds
If you liked the last concept from above, we recommend taking it one step further by using covers on your mattress as well. This is especially helpful if you suffer from allergies. Like pillows, mattresses also can become a paradise for these tiny dust mites. Finally, we suggest frequently cleaning your headboards and bed frames, especially if they are encased with fabric.
Stop Outside Air Pollution From Coming Inside
If you are suffering from air pollution in your home with things like allergens, remember to keep your windows closed at all times to keep pollen and other particles at bay. More important than that, we suggest enforcing a policy of “no shoes in the house” to make sure everyone removes their shoes before entering your home. To foster this idea, you might establish an area at the entryway designated for shoes. You might also place a mat there for visitors to clean off their feet. Unless you are vigilant people and pets shuffling in and out day after day will continue to drag pollutants inside with them.
A Cool Home Helps Curb Humidity
If you’ve ever talked with someone who’s had to have their home treated for mold, you might realize how risky mold can be in a dwelling, and how expensive mold treatment can cost. Mold is an expensive and dangerous indoor health concern that often becomes a problem before a homeowner realizes it’s there.
If left unchecked, mold and mildew can devastate a person’s respiratory system; the health consequences can go above and beyond the minor symptoms of allergies. Earlier, we discussed how helpful dehumidifiers can be. That’s one solution. However, a cheaper strategy for keeping mold at bay is to sustain cool temperatures in your home. This will help curb humidity levels because mold and dust mites need humid and damp conditions to thrive. In any case, when it comes to mold, it’s definitely not worth risking your health.
Always Use a HEPA Filter on Vacuum
In the fight against indoor air pollution, research reveals that not all vacuum cleaners were created equal: Certain types of vacuum cleaners do a better job at stopping the spread of indoor air pollution than others. This is why we recommend getting a bagless vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter. This will go a long way.
On a side note, if you ever decide to replace any of your flooring, consider using wood flooring. Wood flooring and other hard flooring can be dusted and mopped so they are much better options than carpeting for anyone who is looking to improve air quality, or who suffers from any allergy problems.
A Professional Air Quality Test Can Save Lives!
Choosing a friendly certified professional to test your Indoor Air Quality is the smartest choice when it comes to securing your health, safety and well being.
A member of our team performs this test fast while checking for things like carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and formaldehyde. Although there are DIY test kits that allegedly check for allergens, mold, and other particles, you should think about whether you’d like to test for radon or other gases that could be poisoning the air in your home without you knowing about it..
The most reliable tests are only available from professionals who are certified and qualified to perform them. If you are thinking about using a Do-It-Yourself test kit from a store, you should be warned that those tests tend to be very limited in scope and you always run the risk of it not being accurate. If you have your testing done by a professional as suggested and he or she discovers an indoor air quality problem, he or she can tell you how to resolve it the same day.
SEASONAL MAINTENANCE IS SO ESSENTIAL
Finally, if you’ve been grappling with pollution in the air at your home,on the air quality in your home, never forget how standard seasonal maintenance can benefit you in a variety of ways.
When we come out for a maintenance appointment, we will not only support your system’s continued optimal operation (which will improve the quality of the air in your home), but we will also identify any minor problems that might become major breakdowns if not caught. These little issues tend to snowball and show up as big problems down the road, the catalyst of a full breakdown.
Our polite technicians go through a long list of procedures, cleaning operations; they carefully fine-tune your HVAC system and conduct numerous checks and inspections; they analyze the condition of your air ducts and, of course, look at your air filters and any other area that might possibly need attention.
When it comes to your home’s precious HVAC system, we have a saying: “It will always pays off, in the end, in dividends, when you become proactive with your home’s expensive system than to be reactive ‒ especially for those with health issues from air quality problems.
Our HVAC systems are fine-tuned machines valued at up to many thousands of dollars. We know this better than anyone. And yet we offer 24-hour emergency services and we guarantee customer satisfaction every time.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING BY CALLING US TODAY!
We at Delaware Heating & Air stay committed to helping you keep your home comfort levels optimal. Heating and Cooling is our calling. And yet at the same time, we also strongly believe in keeping our customers healthy and safe. We suggest homeowners make indoor air quality a priority to ensure their health and the health of their loved ones. Because indoor air pollution has such a substantial impact on our health and well being, we hope you find this information helpful and apply it. If you are interested in any of the products and services we presented, or if you’d like to know more, give us a call 740-227-8302 or Click Here to schedule an appointment now.
Indoor Air Quality 101: Part 1
