The disadvantage of a well insulated home is that it prevents heated or cooled air from escaping easily, resulting in a build up of indoor pollutants and airborne pathogens. It is important to improve the air quality in your home now more than any other time in the past as we are spending more and more time indoor due to Covid-19. In this article, we will be exploring the importance of good air quality and how to keep your family healthy.
Poor indoor quality can lead to a whole host of short term and long term health effects, from coughing, sneezing, headaches and fatigue. Our daily activities can lead to indoor air pollutants, dust, dirt and mold being the most common. Cleaning products can also contribute more gas particles to indoor air. If your home doesn’t have enough air ventilation, you will not be able to sufficiently exchange indoor and outside air sufficiently. Maintaining your air conditioner regularly can prevent the build up of indoor air pollutants as a clogged air filter can no longer trap more dust particles as they move through your system.
The good news is that there are steps that you can take to improve the quality of the air that moves around your home. The first step would be to regularly clean the air filters in your air conditioning system. If you have family members who suffer from allergies or asthma, consider using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that can remove very small particles that often trigger reactions.
Second, call a qualified HVAC professional to come over and inspect, clean and tune up your heating and cooling equipment at least once a year. Our trained technicians will ensure the prevention of dangerous gas leaks and to perform safety checks on your systems.
You can extra precautions when cleaning with chemicals or embark on home renovations such as construction or painting, keep your working area well ventilated during and after such projects.
Invest in a humidifier or dehumidifier to help keep your home at an optimal humidity level, this will discourage the growth of mold and keep your home safe and comfortable in all seasons. Be sure to clean this equipment according to the manufacturers recommendations to prevent build up of pathogens and to keep your warranty intact.
If you’re a smoker, consider smoking outside and wash your bedding, curtains and household items regularly. If you don’t have a air conditioner, consider investing in one. It will keep your home cool during warm days and heated during the cold, not only that but it will also help move air in and out of your home.
These easy steps will ensure that your home is safe for you and your loved ones at all times.
Till next time, stay warm and stay safe South Africa.
