5 Steps You Can Take to Improve the Air Quality in Your House

With it being the winter months, it may be a nice thought to enjoy a sealed-up house while laying underneath a nice, warm blanket. However, with your house closed up, that also means that whatever condition your house’s air quality is in will remain the same throughout the entire winter. Stale indoor air can worsen over time, especially if the air is full of dust and allergens. This can become a major issue for those who suffer from upper respiratory issues and asthma. That’s why it’s important to handle these issues and take steps that will improve the air quality of your house. 

1. Keep Your House Clean

A clean house and good indoor hygiene can help cut down on possible mold spores or dust circulating throughout your house. Vacuum the floors and your HEPA filters in order to reduce the risk of dealing with allergies or respiratory issues. Cleaning out your air duct is also an important aspect of this step. 

Over time, your ducts will accumulate vast amounts of dust that can blow out from the vents of your home and into the air. Especially during the winter months when your heating system operates for most of the day, this problem can cause a lot of problems.

2. Groom and Clean Up After Your Pets

If you own any pets, then you should be proactive when grooming and cleaning up after them to improve the air quality in your house. Pets can shed a lot, and their dander can fill the air while clogging any air systems you may have in place around your house. So, make sure that you brush and dispose of any loose hairs that could end up sitting on the floor or in a specific location for a long time.

Don’t just groom the animal, either. Make sure that if they have a designated spot around the house, like a litter box or kennel, that it’s as clean as possible at all times. Try to use a vacuum and a cleaner on areas that are in the vicinity. 

3. Monitor Humidity Levels

Humidity can drop as low as 20% during the winter months, in part due to the constant running of your heating system. This can lead to dry conditions, which can dry your skin and allow for allergens to more easily affect your breathing. So, try to keep your humidity levels high, but be careful how high you raise them. 

Too much humidity can be just as bad for air quality in your house as low humidity. Use a dehumidifier if this happens. Too much moisture in the air can cause mold, mildew, or other harmful organisms that can harm your respiratory system. A whole-house dehumidifier in your HVAC system will handle the problem for you if it ever arises. 

4. Natural Ventilation

Although this may be hard to do in the winter or fall, natural ventilation is another great method for improving air quality in your house. Open up windows, doors, and use ceiling fans, or even install a window air conditioner, which will allow you to increase the amount of outdoor air ventilation. This method is a lot easier to do in the summer, but it is still a possibility at any time of the year.

5. Check Your HVAC

When it comes down to it, the best way to improve your air quality in your house is to have the proper system in your HVAC’s air filtration. These air filters trap tiny particles that otherwise would float freely around your house. Make sure that you frequently switch the filters out and these can become clogged. With a clogged filter, the HVAC system will be less effective and possibly allow for the dirty debris that is caught to be circulated throughout the house. Staying on top of this will help keep your house’s air quality as clean as possible. 

Are You Having Problems With Air Quality? 

Are you having issues with maintaining your air quality and suffering from allergies and other respiratory problems? Then call Stack Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric in Cleveland, Ohio! We’re Cleveland’s indoor air quality experts and can help with filtration and ventilation. Call us at (440) 937-9134.