Your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) is important for several reasons. Not only does poor air quality lead to health issues, it can also cause odors throughout your home, raise energy bills, and even keep you from sleeping well. How can you be sure you’re keeping dust, mold, and other contaminants in your home within healthy parameters? There are several ways to test your indoor air quality.
Testing IAQ
The simplest way to test the contaminant levels in your home is with an IAQ monitor. It continually scans your air and keeps track of the levels of dust, mold, VOCs, etc. This way, you can see at a glance the areas where your air is healthy and the areas where it’s lacking and make plans to improve it if need be. If any of these contaminants gets above a certain level, the monitor will alert you.
It’s also important to install radon and carbon monoxide detectors. These two gases can cause serious health problems and even death. Therefore, having the detectors in your home is a matter of safety. Check their batteries twice a year and replace them every seven to 10 years to ensure their continued effectiveness.
Improving IAQ
Once you’ve got an idea of your home’s indoor air quality, how can you improve it? Start by replacing your HVAC system’s air filter regularly. When it gets clogged, not only does it no longer remove contaminants effectively, it also causes airflow problems, which can overwork your system, resulting in frequent breakdowns. For ideal performance, replace the filter every three to six months.
Opening your windows periodically to let in clean, fresh air can help as well. There are also a number of houseplants that help clean your air and improve IAQ. However, if you really want to remove contaminants, invest in an air purifier. More effective than your HVAC filter, a good air purifier removes 99.97% of contaminants in your air, helping you breathe easier.
If you want to improve the indoor air quality in your home, contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We provide quality HVAC solutions to the Indianapolis area.
