Tips on How to Improve Home Air Quality with Air Purifier
If you're conscious of the air pollution outdoors, you also need to consider indoor air quality. According to several studies, indoor air is 7x more polluted than outdoors. Various contaminants such as dust, dirt, mold, mites, and other microorganisms are lurking on it.
These are the elements that an air purifier can get rid of.
Man replacing a filter on a home air conditioning system.
To get the most from using an air purifier, consider the following tips:
1. Choose the best spot
Position the air purifier in an open space at least 1-foot distance from the wall on all sides. An air purifier needs a good air circulation to suck air in and push it out freely. Also, make sure that the air purifier's size is proportional to that of the room. Do not use a small device for a large room.
2. Point the flow in the right direction
If you have a large room, position the device near you to get most of the clean air. This is not as important in a smaller space since the purified air will circulate in all corners anyway.
3. Turn it off ONLY when no one's home.
The latest models of air purifiers are energy efficient. However, it can work longer if you take care of it by turning it off when not in use.
4. Keep windows and doors closed while the air purifier is on
An air purifier can't clean all the outdoor air. Just like air conditioning, it works better when the house is sealed from the outdoor air.
5. Change filters as instructed.
Ensure that you follow the instructions as to when to change the filters as written in the manual. Typically, HEPA and carbon filters need replacing annually. For washable filters, you need to clean them at least every other week.
8 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality
There are many other things that you can do to improve air quality, aside from using an air purifier. Some of these are:
Open your window
While you don't want to leave the window open all the time, doing it early in the morning, even for just an hour, is good for your house. It invites fresh air to go in while pushing chemicals and allergens outside. Besides, the house also needs sunlight to act as a natural deodorizer that can help eliminate foul odor.
Clean your home thoroughly
You need to put cleaning on top of your priorities. When your house is clean, you prevent dust or allergen from building up. A clean home is a healthy house. Clear away clutters and make sure to vacuum the floor, carpets, and rugs as they are notorious for trapping and holding dust particles.
Don't forget to vacuum upholstery and furniture too! You also have to mop wood, tile, and marble floors at least twice a week. Lastly, make sure that you change sofa covers, curtains, bedsheets, and linens at least once a month as they gather dust and mites over time.
Choose non-toxic cleaning products
Breathing in poisonous gases every day is extremely unhealthy. Double-check the chemical composition of the cleaning products you’re using as most brands have toxic components.
If you see any of these chemicals on the label, beware of the product's danger to your family's health: Perchloroethylene (PERC), Formaldehyde, 2-Butoxyethanol, Ammonia, Sodium Hydroxide, and Chlorine. If possible, replace your current cleaning agents with products that use natural ingredients such as baking soda and vegetable soaps.
Clean the ducts
Your home's HVAC system's duct is one of the common causes of the poor indoor air quality. They are the repository for dirt and dust, rodent dropping, and more. This is one of the reasons why old houses smell bad and have a poor internal temperature control.
The best way to prevent poor indoor air quality caused by dirty HVAC ducts is to hire professionals who will clean the system regularly. A clean vent does not only reduce air pollutants, but it also distributes air more efficiently. It helps you save energy and money on your monthly bill.
Keep exhaust fans clean
Exhaust fans remove excess moisture inside the house, which prevents the growth of mold. However, they can become clogged with dust which stops them from operating efficiently. To clean them, take out the fan's cover and vacuum out dust and debris to clear them out. Using a damp clean cloth, wipe down the fan and the cover before putting it back. Do this several times a year.
Improve kitchen ventilation
The kitchen is probably the most well-loved spot in your house if your family likes to eat a lot. However, it can also be a major source of air pollution especially if you're using a gas stove. Here are some ways to improve air quality in your kitchen:
Use a range hood fan every time you're cooking. Some people think that range hood is only useful for sucking the smoke. Yes, it does…but it can do so much more like maintaining the correct moisture level and getting rid of unwanted smell.
Open a window. Opening a window while you're cooking allows unwanted hot air to escape.
Use air purifiers. As discussed above, a good brand of air purifier can help remove various particulates in the air. If you don't have one yet, check out one of the sources on product review, discussion of unique features, and pros and cons of different brands of air purifiers.
Wipe Down AC Vents
The best way to clean your AC units is to get the help of professionals. However, if you can't give your AC units a good service, make an effort to wipe down the vent to remove the dust accumulating there. Put a few drops of tea tree oil in some water and use it as your cleaning agent. Tea tree oil has natural anti-bacterial properties that also leaves a fresh scent that lingers for a long time.
