Three Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air to Keep Your Family Healthy During the Back to School Season

Your heating and air conditioning system plays a major role in maintaining your indoor air quality.
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Did you know you can utilize your heating and air conditioning system to help improve your indoor air quality? It’s true. There are also other things you can do to help your family breathe easier and stay healthier while maintaining climate comfort inside your home. There always seems to be a lot to worry about during back-to-school season, but if you follow these three steps you won’t have to worry about the air your family is breathing in your home.

1. Take Care when Using Harsh Chemicals

Many household items we commonly use release harmful fumes. For example, many paints and adhesives release volatile organic compounds, commonly referred to as VOCs. These chemicals can potentially cause cancer in humans.

Many cleaning products also contain dangerous chemicals. When using these household items, take care to avoid the release of fumes into the indoor living areas. You can do this by using them outside or ensuring very good ventilation to the outside air.

2. Run Your Exhaust Fans

Kitchens and showers have exhaust fans for a reason: to move indoor air to the outside. In the kitchen, running your exhaust fan can help clean the indoor air clean by removing certain particles, such as smoke from burned food.

In the bathroom, running your exhaust fan every time you shower is important to remove the extremely humid air. Without this vital step, that moisture will encourage mold and mildew to grow and spread. Eventually, mold spores will float into the air. These are harmful to the human respiratory system.

3. Replace Your HVAC Air Filter

Unless you have a standalone air filtration system in place, your HVAC's air filter will be your primary method of cleaning your indoor air. With the right filter, you can remove harmful airborne contaminants, such as pollen, mold spores and dust mite body parts.
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Your heating and air conditioning system has its own air filter in place to keep your indoor air clean, but sometimes you may need to take additional steps to keep your family healthy.

For guidance on how to do this, contact the professionals at Smoak's Comfort Control.