For most people, the term “air pollution” invokes images of highway traffic and smokestacks. But indoor pollution can be even worse. Common pollutants include carbon monoxide, chemicals from household cleaning products, mold, and contaminants brought indoors by pets. Lead and asbestos can be a problem in older homes. If left unchecked, indoor air quality (IAQ) issues can cause respiratory symptoms and long-term medical problems. Fortunately, there are ways to improve indoor air quality in Keizer, OR.
Here’s how you can improve IAQ in your home:
Change Air Filters
Regularly changing your AC filter regularly can reduce indoor air pollution. Otherwise, dust, dirt, and other contaminants can clog the filter and re-circulate in the air. A clogged filter also strains your air conditioner, increasing energy consumption and repair costs. Also, check and clean the vacuum cleaner, kitchen vent, and clothes dryer filters (and change them as needed).
Protect Your Home Against Common Pollutants
Cigarette smoke can affect non-smokers in your home. That includes secondhand smoke, which is exhaled by smokers and inhaled by others, and thirdhand smoke, which collects on and is absorbed by clothes, furniture, etc. The best protection is to avoid smoking indoors.
Household chemicals also pose a risk, including formaldehyde, a common volatile organic compound (VOC) found in new wood furniture, especially that made of composite wood. Glass cleaners, air fresheners, bleach, cleaning sprays, and other cleaning products can contain harmful chemicals. Opt for non-toxic products when possible.
Seal Your Home
Closing your chimney flue, caulking cracks around windows and doors, and using weather sealing or masking tape to cover gaps can improve indoor air quality. Don’t keep exterior doors open for too long when using them. Also, have your air ducts inspected periodically. Duct leaks and contamination by mold, dust mites, rodents, and insects can release harmful pollutants into the air.
Install Kitchen Vents
Stoves not only release heat and smoke. They can leak carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide into the air. Whether you have a gas stove or electric burner, be aware of the potential for pollutant exposure. Turning on a kitchen vent can protect you while cooking. If you don’t have one, open a window if the air outside is relatively fresh. The gases will filter outside so your indoor air is healthier to breathe.
Keep Indoor Humidity Under Control
Ideally, indoor humidity should be between 30% and 50%. High humidity can increase dampness, allowing mold and mildew to grow. Many types of mold release toxins that can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms and other medical conditions. Humid conditions can also make your home feel warm and sticky.
Your HVAC system will control humidity if it’s well-maintained; install a dehumidifier in areas that tend to be more humid.
In addition, watch out for issues that can increase moisture and humidity, such as:
- Leaky pipes
- Holes in roofs
- Pooling water
- Poor bathroom/kitchen ventilation
- Unvented gas appliances
- Uncovered baths and hot tubs
- Moist soil near the foundation
Consult with a professional if any of these affect your home. They can fully assess the situation and find ways to mitigate any moisture problems and their causes.
Use Houseplants
Indoor plants act as natural filters to freshen the air in your home. While studies differ in their effectiveness, plants can help remove some pollutants. But they may also contribute to allergies and mold if you don’t choose and care for them properly. Houseplants that can help with IAQ include Dracaena, a houseplant with sword-shaped leaves, a peace lily, the common ivy, ferns, lilies, and palm trees (if you have room for them).
Clean Carpets and Rugs
The fibers in carpets and rugs act as air filters that trap dust and particles. When a carpet fills up, any movement can loosen particles and make them airborne. Vacuum it at least weekly to keep the carpet/rug clean and to help protect and improve indoor air quality in your Keizer, OR, home.
Maintain Your Heating System
Schedule annual maintenance to ensure your furnace isn’t leaking gas. Corrosion, burner, ignitor, ventilation, and other issues can affect IAQ and put your health at risk. You cannot see or smell carbon monoxide, but high concentrations can be deadly. If you have an older furnace, replace it with a direct vent gas appliance, electric heater, or solar heating system that does not pollute the air.
Install an Air Purifier
An air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can remove 99% or more of harmful particles and compounds in the air. A HEPA filter can remove VOCs, mold spores, smoke, pet dander and other allergens, and excess carbon dioxide. It can also remove viruses such as influenza. Other options include air scrubbers that remove gases and odors and energy-recovery ventilation systems.
Know What’s Polluting Your Air
There are many ways to improve IAQ. But you must know the types and levels of pollutants in your home before investing in it. Test kits and indoor air quality monitors are available. But only a professional like Air Stars has the equipment and expertise to accurately determine the state of your IAQ and find the right solutions.
Contact Air Stars Today
Air Stars offers indoor air quality services in Keizer, OR, and helps homeowners throughout the Willamette Valley achieve fresher air. We install air filters and purifiers, seal ductwork, and install insulation to improve your comfort and IAQ. In addition, customers throughout the area depend on us for heating and cooling, electrical, and plumbing services. To learn more about our services or get on track to improving your indoor air quality in Keizer, OR, call (503) 744-5879.
