During the dog days of summer in Atlanta, many of us hunker down at home in the air conditioning. However, with that choice you forgo fresh, clean air.
You may think that your home air quality is up to par, however, you may be mistaken. Everything from moisture to cleaning supplies can leave harmful pollutants if the air that you spend all day breathing in. At R.S. Andrews we know that healthy customers are happy customers, so we have assembled a list of ways you can improve the air quality in your home and reap the benefits!
Go Green: We’re speaking literally, as in plants. The more plants you have in your house, the more natural air filters you have. Plants take in some of the harmful air pollutants and release oxygen. Scatter the plants around the house for the best impact.
Pick Natural: A huge source of indoor air pollutants that most people are completely unaware of are cleaning agents. There are a number of natural, organic cleaning agents you can buy in even mainstream grocery stores. If you want to be even more hands-on in your cleaning, you can make your own. There are tons of recipes available online for all-natural home cleaners you can make from ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and citrus fruits – and the money you’ll save by going DIY on cleaners is an added benefit.
Let It Flow: In the battle against mold and mildew, proper air flow and ventilation is a key preventative measure. Having mold and mildew in your home can cause or contribute to a number of ailments, so preventing it from ever forming is key. Having a quality home ventilation system will help remove excess moisture from areas susceptible to forming mold and distribute it to the rest of the home. Our regular blog readers should know the benefits of having some moisture through out your home – but too much moisture is a recipe for problems.
Keep It Clean: It’s obvious that the air in your home flows through your ducts. However, many people don’t even think about cleaning them. Regularly having an HVAC contractor clean your ducts will ensure that only clean air is being distributed in your home. It will also prevent any dust, debris, model, mildew, and rodent excrement from accumulating and polluting your air.
Test It: Radon testing in your home is something everyone should do, but many don’t. You can even perform the test yourself with a special kit you can purchase at most home improvement stores. The danger with Radon is that it is odorless, so it is impossible to detect on your own. Radon has been known to increase your risk of lung cancer so it’s important to test right away!
Don’t Let Chemicals In: When repainting a room, you may be tempted to go the easy route and use a paint stripper to remove the current coat of paint. However, paint strippers are toxic and can contribute to poor air quality in your home. The same goes for paints that contain volatile organic compounds, so do your research before you buy your paint.
Hopefully you will be able to employ at least a few of these tips in your home. However, one easy way to improve the air quality in your home is to call R.S. Andrews and ask us about the air purification systems we offer. We’ll be happy to explain how the systems work and answer any questions you may have.