10 Easy Ways To Improve Home Air Quality

What is all the hype about air quality? Between the cooler temperatures, escalating environmental awareness and the continual COVID pandemic, people have lots to say and wonder about when it comes to air quality.

The truth is that air quality is not a new topic. Environmental health research has been working for decades to optimize and provide tools, equipment and technology to help spaces breathe better and be healthier. Indoor air pollution is ranked one of the top five environmental risks to public health. What is surprising is how few homeowners give a lot of attention to it. While there are many policies and procedures for workplaces and businesses, individuals’ choices for their home HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning) systems and air quality are usually left to the builder. It takes an insightful homeowner who asks the questions, inspects and works to improve, upgrade and maintain a home’s air quality system. With the continuing battle with COVID-19 has undoubtedly left many of us with a heightened awareness and new consciousness about matters of the air we breathe. There are many ways to improve the air quality in your home, which manifests itself by improving the environmental health of you and the ones you love.

Here are ten easy ways to diagnose the quality of your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system and enhance your air quality at home.

1. Whenever possible, open the windows! Fresh air is always the best air for filtering through your home.
2. Run the fan more! HVAC systems only filter the air when the fan is running. Improving your flow by running the fan for longer times or even continuously will help circulate the air and improve the quality. Do this regardless of whether you are heating or cooling at the time.
3. Check the filter! Replacing your filter is simple maintenance that can have a considerable impact. Like a smoke alarm, I recommend changing your filter every six months (when the time changes every spring and fall is a good rule of thumb to develop it as a habit). Ensure you are buying a filter that fits perfectly, is installed correctly and whenever possible, consider upgrading to a higher efficiency filer or a high-ranking filter that your fan slot and the system can accommodate.
4. Check the outside air intake or vent and make sure the vents are open. This includes the back of your clothes dryer and your oven fan.
5. Turn on your oven fan whenever you fry, saute or grill food in the kitchen.
6. Cleaning products and intense fragrances, such as hairspray, nail polish, paint or craft supplies, can interfere with air quality. Reduce cleaning products that have higher toxicity or aerosol sprays as these chemicals linger in the air longer. Try to do these activities outside or by an open window.
7. Think about your furniture! Most of us think about vents when we need heating or cooling but forget that airflow with the fan needs room to go. Avoid blocking your vents for any reason.
8. Operate your bathroom fan or open a window when the bathroom is in use and continuously if possible.
9. Make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working and accessible to your main living and sleeping areas.
10. Make your home a smoke-free environment. There are so many reasons that smoke from tobacco, cannabis or e-cigarettes is unsafe. But they also are a much higher health risk in your home. Do not allow any smoke in your home. In fact, keep it far from doors and windows, and ask smokers to wash their hands when they return indoors.

The very best way to really improve the air quality in your home is to invest in an air quality test (ours is free!) and see if you would benefit from an air purification system. Air purifiers help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a home or smaller, confined space. An air purifier allows air to pass through but prevents dust, dirt, pet dander, odors and other particles from recirculating through your home’s air. Book an air quality test with The Chill Brothers to get to the real truth about your home’s air quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What is the purpose of an air purifier?

A. Air purifiers are useful devices that will help protect you and your family from the harmful effects of polluted air. Some common symptoms of poor air quality include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and dry skin. Air purification can also help reduce the spread of germs and bacteria in your home.

Q. What are the main benefits of an air purifier?

A. An air purifier can help you breathe more accessible by providing clean, fresh air at home or work. They have a wide range of benefits, including improved air quality, reduced allergy symptoms, and asthma relief. Air purifiers help remove harmful particles and pollutants from the air.

Q. How do you know which air purifier to buy?

A. There are many factors to consider when choosing an air purifier, including the cost, quality, and size of the filter. Consider what you want to get out of your air purifier, do you want a device that will be able to filter out toxins from the air, or would you prefer a device that focuses on providing fresh air. An air quality test will help you select an air purifier.