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Improve Your Indoor Air Quality at Home


Worried about your indoor air quality at home? In California, all sorts of pollutants make their way inside. Air quality is important to your overall health, so make sure it’s high. At Sanborn’s Air Conditioning & Heating, we have all the information you need on indoor air quality. From natural solutions to air conditioning add-ons, these tips help you improve your IAQ (indoor air quality)!
Ever wonder why you get sick when nothing seems wrong? Air conditioning units control the quality of the air you breathe on a daily basis. If the system doesn’t work properly, then your air quality suffers. Even when an air conditioner works, air quality decreases if certain standards aren’t met. Here are some examples.
First, consider the size of the AC unit. Is it too big or too small for your space? Both contribute to air quality. When a unit doesn’t fit the space, it can’t efficiently regulate the air, which decreases the quality. Make sure a qualified HVAC contractor properly sizes an air conditioner before installation. Bigger is not better here. It must be just right.
Filters full of dirt and dust do little for your air quality. Even if the unit cools your home, dirty filters make it blow out dirty air. Plus, it puts excess wear and tear on your AC unit or heat pump. Clogged filters mean dirty air, higher electric bills and more AC repairs. Check your filters monthly and change as needed.
Excess humidity in the home leads to mold and mildew in the drywall plus an increase in dust mites. Air conditioning units without humidity control contribute to this problem.
On the other hand, air without enough moisture leads to nosebleeds, dry skin, greater risk of viruses and infections and increased static electricity. Though you can’t help the humidity outside, fixes for indoor humidity are relatively simple.
Luckily, each of these problems has a solution. In fact, there are more solutions than problems! Take a look at these indoor air quality at home remedies.
Got a green thumb? Put it to use with indoor plants. Plants are natural air purifiers. They remove toxins from the air and convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. Some plants to consider are peace lilies, spider plants, and ivies. However, any big, leafy plant helps.
To combat mold caused by humidity, invest in a dehumidifier. controlled humidity keeps mold and mildew growth to a minimum. Conversely, a humidifier puts moisture back into the air, which alleviates dry skin and noses while improving your overall health. It’s all about balance!
These whole-home solutions control the amount of moisture in your air so you enjoy proper humidity levels. Plus, it reduces the strain on air conditioners. Dehumidifiers, for example, pick up the extra weight of moisture extraction, so the AC doesn’t have to work so hard.
Ultraviolet, or UV air cleaners, neutralize airborne pollutants such as mold spores, bacteria and viruses. Ever feel like your family passes the same illness around for weeks? Poor ventilation and airborne pollutants contribute to reinfection. To fix your indoor air quality at home, invest in multiple sources of air purification.
A quick change of your filters does wonders for the air quality. New filters collect dirt and dust more efficiently than old ones, so make sure to change them at least once a month.
Excess dirt and dust in the home negatively impact the air quality. Indoor air quality at home relies on a clean slate. If furniture collects dirt and dust, then an air conditioner just circulates it back into the air. Clean regularly to prevent any dirt or dust build up. Don’t make food for those icky dust mites!
Your home should feel like a safe, healthy environment all year round. With the help of an effective air conditioning unit and these tips, you can improve indoor air quality at home. In California, air conditioning must work properly to keep you comfortable.
For more help with air conditioning, call Sanborn’s Air Conditioning & Heating today for a free estimate.
We serve communities throughout the San Bernardino and Riverside county areas, including Redlands, Grand Terrace, Rialto, East Highland, Loma Linda, Yucaipa, Moreno Valley, Banning, Calimesa, Beaumont and Fontana, California.