Most homeowners in our area don’t realize that their indoor air quality can actually be worse than the quality of the air outside. At least, this is the case without the right indoor air quality products and services in place. You see, modern homes are built very “tightly,” disallowing any air to escape in or out through drafty windows and doors. This is great news for your HVAC efficiency, but not so awesome for air quality.
The problem is, if contaminants, allergens, or even excess humidity make their way in through an open door or even though your ductwork, it all gets trapped in your living space, with no way out. But there are indoor air quality solutions that can resolve this! Read on to learn about a few of them.
Install an Air Purifier
You’re probably already familiar with those small, portable air purifiers you can get at the store. These are great solutions for small studio apartments or single bedrooms, but really aren’t a great solution if you’re trying to improve the air quality of your entire living space. For this, you’ll want to have a whole-house air purifier installed.
These systems are designed to, as the name implies, treat the whole home. They’re installed directly into your ductwork, and there are different types. For instance, there are air cleaners that remove dust, household chemical fumes, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and allergens right out of the air. There are also UV air purifiers, which eliminate microorganisms like bacteria and mold spores before they even have the chance to enter your indoor air.
If you’re unsure of which air purifier is best for you, please don’t hesitate to contact our team! We’ll be happy to help you make an informed decision.
Consider Ventilation
When it’s a hot summer day and your air conditioner is blasting away, the last thing you want to do is leave your front door or your windows open, right? But what if the air is stale? Well, having an ERV (energy recovery ventilator) or HRV (heat recovery ventilator) can help. These transfer fresh, pre-cooled (or pre-heated in the wintertime) into your home so you can stay cool as efficiently as possible.
Have a Dehumidifier Installed
The ideal average humidity level in any given home is between 30-50%. Anything above that range is considered too humid, and means your home can benefit from a dehumidifier installation. Too much humidity can cause a number of problems in your home, like mold growth and subsequent property damage.
Get Some Kid-Safe and Pet-Safe Plants!
Houseplants can do a lot to improve your indoor air quality. They are natural air purifiers and even reduce the amount of dust floating around in your home. Just make sure that if your plants aren’t in a high spot, you do your research to determine which ones are kid and pet-safe. It’s probably unlikely that your toddler will try to eat a plant, but we can’t really vouch for your furbabies!
When you’re ready to install an air purifier in Brentwood, CA, or learn about our other indoor air quality options, contact Hometown Heating and Air Conditioning.