To prevent the spread of the flu or common cold, a large number of people spend a majority of their time in the house during the winter season. While it may be true that resting inside in front of the fire is a simple way to prevent the flu, spending too much time inside can cause negative health consequences for individuals with asthma or respiratory issues. Depending on the type of air filter you utilize, the air in your house may be filled with pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. To help you protect your health, we have created a list of ways to improve the indoor air quality in your home.
How to Remove Contaminants From the Air
Purchase a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are engineered to extract minuscule particles in the air to improve indoor air quality. This type of air filter is designed to penetrate particles that are 0.3 microns in size or larger. HEPA air filters feature an efficiency rate of 99.97%. To put the size in perspective, the human eye is unable to detect anything that is 40 microns in size or smaller. This category of air filters can catch and remove the smallest contaminants from the air.
HEPA air filters are assembled with plastic fibers or borosilicate glass that is embedded in a panel. If you’re looking for ways to improve the indoor air quality in your house, this filter is intertwined with fibers that are a smaller size in comparison to the large particles in your air. Once a particle enters the filter, it is trapped in tiny passageways that are created by the borosilicate glass or fibers. On the other hand, a HEPA air filter utilizes a different method to capture miniscule particles. These air filters utilize a mechanism called diffusion to trap small contaminants as they crash into gas molecules. HEPA air filters utilize the process of electrostatic extraction to remove small airborne particles from the air.
Install a Ultraviolet Germicidal Air Purification System
Ultraviolet germicidal air purification systems can exterminate viruses, bacteria, or mold by altering the genetic properties in the nucleus of cells of minuscule microbes. Depending on the type of particles in your air, the ultraviolet light may not be able to kill the microorganisms. In some cases, the light that is produced by a germicidal system will only stop the microbe from reproducing in the future. This type of system is engineered to execute viruses, mold spores, and bacteria that are in miniature airborne contaminants in your house.
Installing an ultraviolet germicidal light in your air ducts is an excellent way to combat the symptoms of respiratory health issues. Ultraviolet light eliminates the need to rely on harsh chemicals to kill mold and viruses in the air. This type of germicidal air purification system produces light that features a higher frequency than violet to kill microorganisms in the air. If you want to improve the indoor air quality in your home, a germicidal system is designed to produce a type of light called Ultraviolet C light.
This type of ultraviolet light ranges in wavelength from 100 to 280 nanometers (nm) and is capable of destroying microorganisms in the air by altering their genetic composition. Investing in an ultraviolet germicidal air purification system is a straightforward way to remove bacteria and viruses from the air in your house. This type of germicidal system helps combat the negative side effects of allergens and germs.
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Avoid Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are an excellent way to add vibrancy to your kitchen or bedroom. On the other hand, plants can promote the growth of mold and contaminants. If you have moderate to severe allergies, do not purchase indoor plants for your house. Although it’s true indoor plants can enhance air quality by producing Oxygen, the disadvantages of airborne mold spores and contaminants outweighs the advantages.
Keep Your House Clean
Clean your house once a week or more to eliminate pet danger, dust, and allergens. An easy method that can be utilized to improve the air quality of your home is to wash the sheets on your bed twice a month. Wash the sheets in warm water to eliminate bacteria, dust mites, dirt, and mold. In addition, you can improve your allergy symptoms by washing your curtains and rugs 1 to 2 times each year.
Clean Your Floors
Mopping the tile and wood floors 1 or two times a month in your house is a simple method that can be utilized to remove dirt and dust from the air. If you are having trouble removing dirt from the floor with a traditional fiber mop, consider purchasing a microfiber mop to remove extra dust and allergens from your floors.
Vacuum Your Carpet & Furniture
Chemicals and contaminants can collect in a house for years. Investing in a vacuum cleaner that is integrated with a HEPA filter is a basic way to remove fire-resistant chemicals, small concentrations of lead, and pollen from the air in your house. The latest vacuum cleaners for sale are equipped with alternating brushes and firm suction to eliminate dirt and dust in each of your rooms.
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Clean Your Air Ducts
The air ducts behind your walls and ceilings can collect dirt, rodent dropping, mold, and other types of contaminants. Each of these airborne pollutants is distributed in your house through the return and supply vents when you operate your furnace or air conditioner. If you recently purchased a new house, check the inspection report to confirm when the air ducts were cleaned by the previous owners. Removing dirt from your air ducts will improve your indoor air quality and will decrease the total cost of your utility bills by alleviating the load on your furnace.
Add a Whole-Home Humidifier
Integrating a whole-house humidifier to your air ducts will help alleviate the symptoms of health issues such as dry skin, irritated eyes, sore throat, and asthma. In addition, a humidifier is connected to an air filter that is designed to collect dust, dirt, hair, and bacteria. If you have allergies, it’s important to clean the air filter in your humidifier a couple of times each year.
Indoor Air Quality Services
If you are coughing or sneezing this winter, give our team a call by phone at (484) 206-8594 to schedule an appointment. We offer indoor air quality services for homes in areas of Pennsylvania such as Drexel Hill, Havertown, Broomall, and Wayne. Our team of licensed technicians will enhance the air quality in your house by installing a UV germicidal light system, HEPA air filter, or a humidifier. In addition, we offer dependable HVAC repair services such as boiler installation, furnace repair, and air conditioning replacement. We will help you choose an indoor air quality system to eliminate bacteria, dust, and dirt from the air in your house.