Written on: April 17, 2023
One thing we have learned over the last three years since the COVID-19 pandemic began is the importance of clean, safe air in our homes.
Americans spend on average 90% of their time indoors, including time asleep. That means that the quality of our indoor air plays a crucial role in our health and well-being.
Hometowne Energy can help keep your home’s indoor air quality healthy and comfortable with our installation and service of indoor air quality equipment.
If you have an HVAC system in your home, you may be thinking, “I have a filter in my HVAC system; I don’t need anything else.”
HVAC filters can only do so much.
Nowadays, in buildings with tightly sealed walls and doors, VOCs, pollen particles, pet dander or radon are gathering more quickly than ever before. These pollutants come from a variety of sources: everything from emission released by combustion appliances to outgassing created by the materials used during construction; cleaning products’ chemicals or outdoor air-contaminants such as pesticides; not to mention indoor irritants like dust mites and mold spores.
As time passes, these pollutants can harm your well-being and lead to issues such as asthma, other long-term respiratory conditions, headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue.
High-grade filters in your home’s HVAC system are a great start to improving air quality, but they alone may not be enough. Unfortunately, these filters will not capture all airborne pollutants such as viruses and VOCs.
That’s where indoor air quality equipment comes in. There are two main types.
Air purifiers. These are connected to your home’s HVAC system. As air circulates around your home, is it brought to the purifier through the ductwork. Using filters and ionization, pollutants are trapped and VOCs are neutralized, sending clean air out into your home.
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers. Humidity plays an essential role in the quality of your home’s indoor air. Excessive humidity in your home can be detrimental, leading to the growth of mold and mildew as well as bad odors which may exacerbate allergies. On the other hand, dry air has its own set of problems. It can harm delicate items like wooden flooring or electronics while also making you more likely to suffer from colds. Humidity control equipment keeps your home’s air at optimal humidity.
As spring is here, many of us are tackling spring cleaning projects. We’ve put together some times to use this time to protect and enhance the indoor air quality in your home.
Use cleaner cleaning products. Many common household cleaners can add toxins and pollutants to your home’s indoor air. Fortunately, there are other options. Look for cleaning products that are non-toxic and low VOC. You can also make cleaners with household items like vinegar, lemon juice, dish soap, salt, and citric acid.
Change your HVAC filter. A clean filter is essential to help your indoor air quality equipment do its job. Check your filter once a month, more frequently if you have pets or someone in your home with respiratory conditions like COPD or asthma, and change as needed.
Get your ductwork cleaned. It is recommended that you have your home’s ductwork professionally cleaned ever three to five years. If it’s been more than three years, now is a great time to schedule a cleaning.
Add plants. Exercise your green thumb while improving your home’s indoor air. Their primary benefit is their capacity to remove carbon dioxide from the air. Additionally, studies show that regular houseplants can filter out formaldehyde, benzene and a multitude of other pollutants, making them invaluable for keeping your home healthy!
Ready for better air quality in your Finger Lakes Region home? Contact Hometowne Energy today to get started!