10 Ways to Purify the Air in Your Home
If you’re breathing contaminated or stale air in your home, this may have negative consequences on your health. The interior air in most houses contains more contaminants and germs when compared to the air outdoors. Since the average person spends a majority of their time indoors, it’s important to become familiar with ways to purify the air in your home. To ensure you’re able to maintain or improve your physical heath, these are 10 ways to purify the air in your home.
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How to Keep Your Air Clean & Safe
Keep Your Windows Open
The most affordable method that can be utilized to clean the air in your home is opening the windows in your house. This will help eliminate harmful allergens and chemicals from the interior air. We recommend keeping your windows open for a couple of hours on a beautiful day to eliminate pollutants and purify the air in your home.
If you notice mold in your kitchen or bedroom, this may be caused by airborne contaminants that have infiltrated your air handling system. To purify your interior air, immediately deactivate your air conditioner or furnace and open the windows in your house. This will help eliminate excess bacteria in your air. In addition, you will be required to call a licensed plumber in your area to remove the excess mold on your drywalls or ceiling.
Remove Your Shoes
If you have been walking on the sidewalk or grass in your backyard, it’s important to remove your shoes before you walk into your house. This will help purify your air from contaminants including pollen, bacteria, and fungi. In addition, we advise against walking in your house with shoes to avoid damage to your carpet or hardwood flooring.
Activate Your Air Conditioning System
The central air conditioning system in your house features a filter that is designed to trap dust, dirt, and bacteria. An excellent way to clean the air in your home is to use your air conditioner. Once the system is activated, it will collect stale air from each room in your house and push it through a filter throughout the cooling process. To help keep your air clean, we recommend replacing your air filters at a minimum of every 6 months. However, replacing the air filters once a month will help enhance the air quality in your home.
Purchase Indoor Plants
Another surprising way to purify the air in your house is to purchase indoor plants. There are various types of houseplants that are able to eliminate contaminants including formaldehyde, xylene, and carbon monoxide. Adding a couple of plants to your bedrooms and living room will also enhance the décor of your interior.
Remove Volatile Organic Compounds From Furniture
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that can be found in the air of your house. These chemicals originate from materials such as paints, furniture, and glues. If you’re thinking about purchasing a new chair for your family room, it’s important to be aware that it will release excess volatile organic compounds into the air. To purify the air in your house, we recommend keeping your new furniture in your garage or an unused room for a couple of days once it’s delivered. This will allow your brand new chair to release volatile organic compounds into the outdoor air prior to being moved into your house.
Invest in New Paint
A standard can of paint for sale at your local hardware store will contain Volatile organic compounds (VOC). This is a carbon material that may transform into vapors and become stuck in your air. If you’re thinking about remodeling a master bedroom or kitchen, this may be the perfect opportunity to clean the air in your home. While you are shopping for paint, we recommend purchasing a product that is labeled “Low-VOC.” This type of paint features less than 50 grams of volatile organic compounds per liter. You may also decide to purchase paint that is categorized as “Zero-VOC.” This kind of paint includes less than 5 grams of volatile organic compounds per liter.
Stop Smoking or Smoke Outdoors
Smoking in your house will cause the air to become infiltrated with tobacco and other types of contaminants. An obvious way to purify and clean the air in your home is to either stop smoking or to smoke outside. If you are having a guest over that smokes, politely ask them to smoke in your backyard to preserve the air quality in your house.
Have Your Air Inspected for Radon
Radon is a type of gas that is found in the soil of the ground. Studies show that Radon may be associated with a higher risk of lung cancer. As your house becomes older, this gas may begin to rise from the soil and into your foundation. To protect yourself from radon, we recommend having a professional conduct an inspection for radon in your house. If this gas is found in your air, a licensed plumber will discuss various ways to purify your air.
Stop Using Aerosol Sprays
If you utilize a type of hair spray or furniture deodorizer with an aerosol spray mechanism, you may be releasing dangerous pollutants into the air in your house. If you’re wondering how to clean or purify the air in your home, we recommend purchasing hair spray or furniture deodorizer products that do not include an aerosol spray mechanism.
Use Natural Cleaners Without Fragrances
Most types of cleaners for sale in the store include fragrances that may be dangerous to family members with allergies. To reduce the number of contaminants in your air, try using an organic cleaner such as baking soda, mayonnaise, table salt, or grapefruit.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
Pet Dander
Your furry best friend can often be a source of allergens. You spend roughly 8 hours sleeping in your bedroom and a number of other hours doing other activities. If you or anyone in your family is allergic to pet dander, one of the best things you can do is restrict your pet from the bedroom.
Carbon Monoxide
From your water heater to your oven, anything in your home that burns gas can be a potential source of carbon monoxide. Since you cannot smell carbon dioxide, make certain you have sensors installed. Carbon monoxide issues can arise if your furnace is not properly burning the natural gas. Keeping your furnace maintained is the only way to keep the air in your home clean and safe.
Dust Mites
Like dander and pollen, dust mites may become a problem if you have someone in your house with allergies. Your carpet and bedding can become a breeding ground for dust mites. One of the best solutions to purify the air in your home is to replace your carpet with hard flooring. To protect your bed, you can invest in a mattress cover designed to block dust mites.
Mold Spores
Mold is most common in areas of your home that are moist. Improperly vented bathrooms can be an issue as well as any areas in your home that have water leaks. Since our technicians are plumbers and electricians, we can fix plumbing issues and add ventilation fans. If that isn’t enough, we can also install humidity controls to your furnace and air conditioner to ensure the air in your home is clean.
Radon
Radon is a gas that occurs naturally underground. As it rises through the ground, sometimes it ends up in basements. Like Carbon Dioxide, Radon is odorless and colorless. Radon gas has been shown to increase an individual’s chances of developing lung cancer. Although Radon has been found throughout New Jersey, it’s more common in northern New Jersey. The good news is that home Radon tests are not that expensive.
Heating & Cooling Services in New Jersey
If you are having indoor air quality problems, the solution is simple, call in the professionals with Team Electric. Our team of licensed HVAC contractors provides trustworthy services such as air conditioning repair, furnace maintenance, air conditioner tune-up, ductless and mini-split system installation. Give our team a call by phone at (732) 201-3305 or book an appointment online to receive assistance.
