Low air quality in your home can have a big effect on your health, and mood
Low quality air can be caused by a number of factors such as pollution from the outside, poor building materials as well as emissions from heating and appliances.Poor indoor air quality has been linked to asthma, fatigue and lung disease.There are many ways to identify the quality of your indoor air temperature.The fastest way to check your home’s air quality is by using a home air quality testing kit. These are relatively cheap and easy to obtain from Amazon or your local hardware center.Home air-testing kits have improved dramatically in recent years and provide an indication of your air quality that is reported to be 80-90% as effective as an expensive professional test.Whether you do a test or simply want to take measure to improve the air quality at home, there are a number of ways to make improvements.We have created a list of 11 tips that will suit a range of homes to ensure you breathe better.1. VentilateAirflow is crucial for good indoor air quality. Getting airflow through your house will remove stagnant air and refresh the interior air.One option is to simply open the doors and windows of your home to rejuvenate the indoor air quality.Of course, if you live in a crowded city, the air outside might be very unpleasant and potentially toxic. In this case choose the time of day wisely, early morning or late evening when traffic levels are at their lowest is the best time.However, the best option for getting outside air into your home is via a trickle ventilator.These devices allow air from the outside to flow inside through a filter that cleans the air of impurities.The kitchen or cooking area is often the best location for these types of ventilators as cooking appliances and methods are a common way of introducing air pollution into your home.The vents can be part of an existing window or door frame or can be a stand-alone frame that can be retrofitted to almost any building envelope. 2. Keep your AC spotlessAir conditioners can really help improve air quality in your home by drying the air in your home out and refreshing the stale air.Almost all air conditioners contain a type of filter that cleans the air, removing impurities and pollens.Like all filters in your home, it’s critical to regularly clean these filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Source: Janwikifoto/Wikimedia Commons3. Keep your sheets and clothes cleanDust mites are a leading cause of poor air quality. They can irritate your nose and throat leaving you feeling tired and lethargic.Dust mites can often linger in the fabric of your homes such as bedding, cushions, and curtains. It is important that you clean these items regularly in low allergenic washing soap.If you have pets ensure that they keep off your bed and sofas to minimize the build-up of hair.