The last thing you’d want is to breathe polluted air inside your home. Unfortunately, your house might be the ‘home’ to several airborne pollutants, including dust, dirt, bacteria, and other pathogens. However, you can follow the following four ways to improve your home's air quality to ensure you and other household members can breathe fresh indoor air:

1. Change The Air Conditioner’s Filter

Do you smell a ‘funky’ stench each time you turn on the air conditioner? Do you have trouble breathing if the air conditioner is operating? If you said ‘Yes’ to either question, a significant amount of dirt and debris must be latching onto the device’s air filter.

You might need to replace the component as cleaning it might not be a suitable option. Here’s a quick guide on how to change the air filter on your air conditioner.

· Open the air conditioning system and locate the filter.

· Measure the air filter and search the market for a same-sized model.

· Remove the old filter and replace it with the new unit.

· Close the air-conditioning unit.

Remember to turn off the power on the air conditioner before opening its case. Tinkering with the device while it’s still operating might lead to accidents and mishaps. Also, dispose of the old filter safely as contaminants might still linger around your home if you keep the dusty component unsealed indoors. Ducted air conditioning replacement is an option if these processes fail to work.

2. Reduce Heater Use

Winters can be harsh as the cold, biting winds invade your home. Wearing three layers of clothes does little to escape the frigid weather. So, you decide to turn up the heat by cranking up your home’s heating unit.

But, extended exposure to various heating equipment might lead to indoor air quality reduction. Keep in mind that heaters from HVAC systems might not be the only heating devices in your home. You should also consider other heat-emitting appliances, such as gas water heaters, kerosene heaters, and wood stoves. These devices produce carbon monoxide, and continuous exposure to this compound may lead to different health problems. Thus, it’s crucial to avoid using these heat-producing objects for extended periods.

Instead, consider efficient and long-term heating solutions for your home. For instance, you may install weatherstripping to doors and windows. You can also drape your windows with thick blackout curtains as the material may help keep the heat in and the cold out.

3. Open The Windows

Many homeowners think that closing the windows will keep the polluted air from entering the premises. Although that idea might be correct, you still have to consider the unhygienic air that’s already in your home.

Trapping dirty air can lead to several issues. For example, closing your kitchen windows may result in dust and dirt landing on your nice, tasty food.

Improve the air quality in the kitchen and the rest of your home by promoting proper ventilation. One way to achieve that is to open your doors and windows. As a bonus, this tip may not require you to spend a single cent.

Let your residence rejuvenate by allowing it to ‘throw’ the polluted air outside while bringing the clean air into the premises. Plus, opening the doors and windows helps reduce heating and cooling costs since you won’t use the air conditioner or heater for extended periods.

4. Clean The Floors

Perhaps, you’ll look up once the topic of indoor air quality surfaces. However, don’t forget to look down, specifically your home’s floors.

Dust, dirt, and other unclean particles from the floor can become airborne with the slightest disturbance. Hence, it should be in your best interest to clean your floors to improve indoor air quality.

Start cleaning the floor by using a vacuum cleaner regularly. A conventional vacuum cleaner should suffice. But, if you want the household to remain as healthy as possible, consider using a cleaning device with a HEPA filter. This component may reduce allergen and lead concentrations in your home. It may also help eliminate other harmful substances, such as pollen, pet dander, and brominated fire-retardant chemicals (PBDEs).

Next, mop the floor after vacuuming it. Mopping helps pick up particulates that the vacuum left behind. Note that you don’t need to use harsh soaps and cleansing agents for this step. Instead, dousing the mop in plain water should suffice to capture lingering particles and substances.

Conclusion

Poor indoor air quality promotes several dangers for homes. Reduce health risks by following the methods of improving your home's air quality mentioned in this article. Act now, and the household should breathe fresh indoor air soon.

Do share your best health and wellness tips for air quality in the home with the Birth and Beyond community in the comments below.

4 Ways To Improve The Air Quality In Your Home