Interstate traffic. Industrial smokestacks. When we think about air pollution, these are just a few things that come to mind. But what about indoor air pollution? Do you ever wonder if the air inside your home is safe?

The truth is that air pollution inside your home can be just as bad as it is outside, or even worse. And since the average American spends 87% of their life indoors, you’d think we’d have more quality air at home. However, that’s not always the case. You can take measures right away to improve indoor air quality if you do a little preventive maintenance and learn some basic factual information.

Common Indoor Air Pollutants

Pollutants in the air can be anything from dirt brought in by your pets from outside to dangerous gas leaks. Carbon monoxide is a common pollutant that gets into the air when natural gas leaks into your home without being burned. Older homes might have asbestos or lead debris in them, which can hurt your lungs if it gets into the air. Mold and mildew can also be a problem in the bathroom and kitchen, where there is usually more moisture than in the rest of the house.

How To Check Air Quality Indoors And Improve It

Below are 7 things you can do right away to check and improve your indoor air quality:

1. Change The AC Filter

Air conditioning systems are constantly working to ensure that your home remains at the right temperature. But as they move all that air around, they filter out some of the most common air pollutants. At some point, their air filters accumulate so much filtered debris and can no longer do their job.

Not only does that hurt the quality of the air inside, but it also wears out your air conditioner, which can lead to expensive repairs in the future. So make sure to change your AC filters often or get an AC maintenance plan that usually includes a filter change. This is especially important if you have allergies or live in a city with a lot of pollution.

2. Don’t Forget To Check Other Air Filters

Your AC filter isn’t the only thing in your home that works to keep the air clean. Check the filters in your other appliances if you intend to improve the air quality in your home. Your vacuum, clothes dryer, and kitchen vents should all undergo maintenance on a regular basis. Every few months, it’s best to clean or replace these common household filters.

3. Inspect The Ducts

The air ducts in your home circulate hot or cold air through your home, keeping the temperature comfortable in every room. But if ducts aren’t placed correctly or maintained regularly, contaminants can move from one room to another.

Over time, dust, pet hair, and even mold can build up in your ducts, making the air in your home less healthy. Hire a pro to ensure your air ducts are moving clean, fresh air.

4. Use Cooking Vents

Many indoor air pollutants come from the kitchen. Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are two harmful substances that come from gas stoves. Even electric burners produce some of the same pollutants in smaller amounts, as well as other particles that are easy for your body to absorb. Make it a habit to open your kitchen vents or open a window to help improve indoor air quality more.

5. Clean The Carpets And Rugs

Rugs and carpets do more than just make your home feel better. They act as their own air filters because their fibers catch dust and other small particles. Some people dislike the idea of rugs and carpets due to the fact that they can trigger allergies. However, if you wash them once a week, they will continue to clean the air in your home just by lying there.

6. Control The Humidity

Mold and mildew grow in damp and humid places, which can make breathing problems like allergies and asthma worse. Depending on where you live, the hot summer months can be particularly humid. With a few well-placed dehumidifiers, you can cut down on the amount of water in the air and stop mold from growing. There are different kinds of humidifiers that can help keep the humidity level in your home stable and make it more comfortable to live in, hence creating better indoor air quality.

7. Buy Indoor Plants For Fresh Air

Plants are nature’s natural air filters for improved indoor air quality. By buying a few houseplants, you can do a lot to improve the air quality in your home while also making it look better. The best plants to clean the air are small ones like ferns and lilies indoors and bigger ones like palm trees.

You may also inquire about professional indoor air quality services so that you may give your home what it really needs while keeping your and your family’s well-being in mind.

Let Smith Electric Colorado Springs Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Keeping the air in your home clean and easy to breathe takes work and preventive care. Now that you know a few easy things you can do yourself to clean up the air inside, you might want to make an appointment with a professional from Smith electrical services.

We offer a variety of service plans that help keep your air clean by doing things like replacing your AC filter or installing humidifiers or dehumidifiers. Check out our other Smith plumbing and heating services today and find out more ways how we can help improve your air quality. We also provide a large array of other HVAC services, such as air conditioning maintenance, heating repair, and duct cleaning.

If you are interested to learn more about smoke detectors, read our previous Smith Pink Trucks blog.