Indoor Air Pollution & What You Can Do About It

Did you know indoor air pollution levels are two to five times higher than outdoor air pollution levels? Since we spend a good deal of our time inside, the air quality we breathe indoors should be of the utmost importance. Common indoor air pollutants include:

• Secondhand smoke: A serious indoor air pollutant which can worsen symptoms for asthma sufferers, increase risks of ear infections in children and increase risks for SIDS in babies.
• Radon: A dangerous gas pollutant identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer, Radon enters homes through cracks and other improperly sealed openings.
• Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide: These gases come from burning materials or improperly vented fuel-burning appliances such as space heaters, wood stoves, gas stoves, water heaters, dryers and fireplaces.
• Allergens: Pollen, dust, pet dander, and mold are among several indoor pollutants that can trigger allergy symptoms and asthma.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can improve indoor air quality and reduce allergens throughout the home. Here’s what you can do:

• Replace filters. Use high-quality filters or permanent HEPA filters, which remove more than 90% of microscopic particles, drastically reducing indoor allergens. For replaceable filters, consider changing them every three months. For permanent HEPA filters, clean them or have them cleaned regularly.
• Keep your HVAC unit clean. Check your outdoor AC unit and indoor unit to make sure they are free of dust and debris. If your unit is left dusty or dirty, that debris will be sucked into the HVAC system and circulated throughout your home. Keeping your units clean will reduce allergens.
• Check for mold. Mold is one of the most dangerous indoor pollutants that can be in your home. You should be checking your air ducts, drip pan and drain, evaporator coils, and air handler every few weeks to make sure there is no mold growth. Mold spores cause allergies and in some cases if left unchecked, they cause serious illness and even death.
• Dust regularly. When dusting your home, you should dust your air registers and return vents first. If your registers and vents are dusty, then they will circulate dust to the rest of your home. Cleaning them with a damp cloth instead of a feather duster will pick up the dust rather than just redistributing it elsewhere.
• Schedule HVAC maintenance. Spring is a great time to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment. Regular professional maintenance is important to keep your system healthy and free of dust and blockage.

If you’re in need of HVAC system maintenance, repair, or replacement, contact Wheeler’s Heating & Air Conditioning. We also offer different products to help with your home’s air quality. Contact us for more information!

Plants: The Solution to Indoor Air Pollution

The Problem

 

According to The National Center for Biotechnology Information, the average person spends 90% of their time indoors. And that means you need to make sure that you are living in a healthy breathing environment to prevent illness and indoor air pollution. To begin detoxifying your air, it’s best to start by giving each room in your house proper ventilation. Poor ventilation can create bad air conditions and eventually make you sick with a disease called  "sick building syndrome," which can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and eye, ear, and nose irritation, as stated by greatist.com. Upholstery or coverings, furniture, and manufactured cleaning products could be contaminating your air and releasing toxic compounds. After those products release air pollution, the toxic compounds stay in the air if the area is poorly ventilated. 

 

The Solution 

 

Indoor air pollutants come from common household objects and poor ventilation. These pollutants are a risk to the environment and your overall personal health. Luckily, according to NASA, indoor plants have become the solution. The National Center for Biotechnology Information calls indoor plants, “nature’s life support system.” The basic plant photosynthesis process removes toxins from air and soil, along with carbon dioxide, like they do outside. So, it makes sense that healthy air starts with plants. 

Plants That are Easy to Manage

 

Here’s a list created by greatist.com on the best indoor plants that are easy to take care of and will help remove toxic compounds from the air:

 

1. Garden Mum
2. Spider Plant
3. Dracaena 
4. Ficus/Weeping Fig
5. Peace Lily
6. Boston Fern
7. Snake Plant
8. Bamboo Palm
9. Aloe Vera 

 

With these plants you can easily make your living environment have a healthier breathing atmosphere for your lungs. An easy solution of having indoor plants can prevent long term problems that could result in chronic diseases like asthma. 

 

Wheeler’s Heating and Air Conditioning is all about the air being released into your home and we want to make sure you are living in a healthy, safe, environment. With our wide range of air quality products, we can help fight indoor air pollution in your home today! Along with air quality control, we provide other services such as installation of new air conditioner and furnaces. We can repair electric heat, gas furnaces, and air to air heat pumps. For more information visit our website at http://www.wheelerheatingandair.com/. Or give us a call at ​417-839-9240!