According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations — a fact that can be somewhat upsetting given that most of us spend a large percentage of our time indoors.
If left untreated, pollutants and allergens in your indoor air like dust, mold, pet dander, lead, ozone, pesticides, cleaning chemical compounds and more can end up in our bodies and can ultimately lead to various health defects (asthma & other respiratory diseases) in many cases.
Unfortunately, here in the Lowcountry some of these indoor air quality cases can be compounded by our year-round humidity levels and our extended time indoors escaping the summertime heat.
Fortunately, though, listed below are 5 simple ways that you can quickly improve your Lowcountry home’s air quality and help fend off those pollutants.
1. Vacuum, Mop Regularly & Use A Floor Mat
Many of your home’s indoor air pollutants and allergens can end up settling in your home’s various dust particles, so keeping things tidy by vacuuming — then mopping — can help keep those allergen-filled dust particles from ending up in your body.
Your floor mats aren’t just for decoration, either. Many of the outdoor pollutants and dust particles can become indoor pollutants quickly when people track them into your house, so adding a few around your home’s entrances can help collect those before they make their way into your home. (And remember to clean those mats regularly as well.)
2. Keep Indoor Humidity Down
Nobody likes their home’s air to be muggy and full of moisture. It’s not only uncomfortable to live in, but also creates a breeding ground for mold, dust mites and other indoor air pollutants. Most Lowcountry homes are already equipped with built-in humidity reducers: air conditioners (or heat pumps).
Even with an air conditioner installed, however, if it is not sized or configured correctly you can end up with more moisture in your home than you would want, so be sure to keep track of humidity levels even when your system is running the most.
3. Change Your Air Filters Regularly
Your HVAC system’s air filters are a vital defense against indoor air pollutants, but if they’re not changed or cleaned regularly those air pollutants can settle in your ductwork and even build up on the wrong side of your air filter.
Both of those situations can wreak havoc on your home’s indoor air quality which is the opposite effect of your air filter’s purpose.
On top of this, a clogged up air filter can cause your HVAC system to run inefficiently — something that can drive up your monthly energy bill.
4. Sign Up For An Annual HVAC Maintenance Plan
More of an indirect way of improving indoor air quality, but having an experienced, local HVAC company come out a few times a year to inspect your system can help you catch any unwanted sources of indoor air pollutants coming from your system.
An annual maintenance plan can also help you catch the humidity or air filter issues mentioned above as well, so be sure to ask your heating and air company in Charleston about their maintenance plans and rates.
5. Install A Whole-Home, In-Duct Air Purifier
While the above listed air quality-improvement steps above can go a long way toward making your indoor air quality better, something more homeowners in Charleston are adding are whole-home in-duct air purifiers like the HALO-LED™ In-Duct Air Purifier into their HVAC system.
These types of air filters use advanced filtration, ultra-violet (UV) technology to remove airborne contaminants from your home’s air. They’re installed directly into the ductwork of your HVAC system and turn on automatically when your system kicks on, ensuring nearly every cubic inch of air in your home gets treated.
We hope you take the steps to make your home and family’s indoor air quality better this year and if you follow the above listed ways, you’ll be well on your way to a better air quality this year.
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