10 Ways to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution

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Indoor air pollution is a problem found in many households throughout the Columbus, GA and Opelika, AL areas. The air inside a home can be much more polluted than the outdoor air, causing physical symptoms among household members due to increased exposure. To help homeowners address this issue, Energy Savers shares 10 ways to reduce pollution inside your home – try these simple solutions and enjoy cleaner air right away!

10 Ways to Reduce Pollution Inside Homes

There are a number of solutions that help homeowners address indoor pollution, ranging from quick changes to home improvement upgrades. Our 10 ways to reduce pollution within your home’s air involve a few easy adjustments to your daily life, plus how to use your home’s HVAC system to gain better indoor air quality.

1. Increase Natural Ventilation

Ventilation is the process of bringing fresh, outdoor air into a home and distributing it throughout the space. This process uses fresh air from outside to dilute polluted air that is trapped inside the house, and push this stale air out of the space. Mechanical and natural ventilation are possible inside a home or building, with mechanical methods using fan-powered equipment and natural methods that use wind, temperature, and pressure differences in the atmosphere.

Increase natural ventilation in your home to reduce indoor air pollution. Open windows and doors when the temperature allows. Check the forecasted pollen count before doing so to avoid introducing more air pollutants to the indoor environment. Before dawn and late afternoon to early evening hours are typically ideal times for doing so.

2. No Smoking Indoors

Eliminating sources of indoor air pollution is one of the healthiest steps of our 10 ways to reduce pollution inside the home. Banning smoking indoors will prevent the introduction of third-hand smoke gas and particulates, which can cause carcinogens and health risks for occupants. This significantly improves indoor air quality.

3. Groom Indoor Pets

Many households count pets as members of their families, with cats and dogs being the most common furry family members. Along with their loyalty and companionship, pets can introduce many pollutants into the home, including hair and dander.

Prevent pollution via pets by keeping indoor animals well groomed. If you do the grooming yourself, bathe pets outdoors whenever possible. Wash bedding frequently to keep your home and air cleaner.

4. Leave Shoes at the Door

Our feet track in a great deal of pollutants from outside. To reduce the amount of particles brought into your home, be sure to keep a doormat down and have everyone wipe their feet upon entry. Take this another step further by removing shoes at the door and going barefoot or wearing slippers indoors.

5. Avoid Chemical Odorants

Many homeowners use chemical air fresheners to cover up odors to keep their homes smelling fresh. Air freshener sprays, potpourri, incense, and even scented candles can emit harmful chemicals and particulate matter into the air. Instead, use natural products to scent your home, such as essential oils and beeswax or soy candles.

6. Clean Regularly

Regular cleaning removes particles from the home’s surfaces, limiting the number of pollutants that can recirculate in the home’s air. Run the vacuum and dust with a microfiber cloth. If you use chemical cleaning products, swap these out for cleaners that use natural ingredients to avoid adding more pollution to your indoor environment.

7. Use Exhaust Fans Properly

Exhaust fans are installed in bathrooms and kitchens for the removal of moisture and odors that are created during normal household activities. Always run the bathroom exhaust fan during showers – turn it on prior to starting the shower and leave it to run for around 20 minutes after finishing. Turn on your kitchen’s range hood before you begin cooking on the stovetop and allow it to run for 15 minutes after finishing.

8. Wash Fabrics Regularly

Another way for improving indoor air quality and reducing indoor air pollution is washing fabrics often. Wash bedding, furniture covers, curtains, and other household fabric items in hot water to remove particulate matter. Bedding and more frequently used items should be washed weekly, while items such as window coverings should be washed a few times per year.

9. Change Furnace Filters Regularly

While the furnace filter’s main purpose is removing airborne pollutants so they do not make their way into the home’s HVAC equipment, their function also benefits indoor air quality. However, when filters are filled with contaminants, they will no longer function to extract new particles as air circulates through the system. Check filters monthly to monitor their condition, and replace as needed.

10. Invest in an Air Cleaner

Whole home air cleaners and air purifiers work with the home’s from the indoor air supply. As air circulates through the system for heating and cooling, it will also pass through the air cleaner, where high-efficiency filters and other technologies work to trap more pollutants and remove them from the air.

Improve Indoor Air Quality Today With Help from Energy Savers

These 10 ways to reduce pollution will help you lower particle counts and reduce symptoms caused by frequent exposure to allergens and other matter in your home’s air. Energy Savers performs installation for whole home air cleaners and other solutions that improve home indoor air quality – contact us today to learn more.

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