Indoor air pollution is nothing to sneeze at – no pun intended.
In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a test which found that 96 percent of North American homes had an indoor air pollution problem, which led to them declaring it one of the top five risks to public health.
While indoor air pollution can aggravate allergies and cause sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes, it can also cause severe health problems such as respiratory disease and lung cancer. According to the World Health Organization, more than 4 million people prematurely die each year from illnesses attributed to poor indoor air quality.
The good news is if you’re looking for ways to improve the quality of your home’s air, a lot can be done. HEPA filters, mattress and pillowcase covers, and even certain plants are all items you can purchase to help purify your home’s air.
More advanced measures, such as hiring professional air duct cleaners, can also help. There is still another step you can take to improve your home’s indoor air. Best of all, it’s free. What is it? Increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors! In other words, increase ventilation.
You may be aware of the energy benefits of having an airtight home. However, too much sealing can trap airborne pollutants inside your home with nowhere to go. Proper ventilation can remove these dangerous particles, along with preventing the growth of mold by controlling the moisture in the air.
There’s no time like the present to improve the ventilation in your home! Here are three methods you can use:
- Natural ventilation. This uncontrolled movement of air that comes as a result of opening your home’s windows and exterior doors. Natural ventilation can also occur unintentionally, through small cracks and holes in your home (such as a drafty window).
- Spot ventilation. This is achieved through the use of exhaust fans, which are most commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms. In your kitchen, a range hood with an exhaust fan will remove the harmful airborne pollutants produced by your stove. In your bathroom, a fan will remove moisture from the air after a shower, and this will prevent mold and mildew growth.
- Whole-home ventilation. Controlled, consistent airflow throughout your house is best achieved with a whole-home ventilation system. This involves an elaborate system of ducts, fans, and filters to bring in outside air while expelling inside air.
If air quality is a concern in your Georgia home, Assured Comfort can help.
In addition to our many heating and cooling services, we offer a variety of air purification options; including duct cleaning and the installation of air filtration systems.