Eco-Friendly Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

It may be surprising to discover that the air circulating in your home can be two to five times dirtier than the air right outside your door. Dirty indoor air can contain an unhealthy mix of allergens and pollutants, including dust mites, mold spores, pollen, carbon monoxide and a slew of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Luckily, you can improve indoor air quality by implementing the following eco-friendly strategies: Add Air-Scrubbing Houseplants

Studies performed by NASA have shown that certain plants are effective at filtering out some of the nastiest chemical air pollutants found in the average home. One example is the low-maintenance peace lily, which removes formaldehyde, a VOC used in textiles, cosmetics, paper products and items made of pressed wood.

Boost Air Exchange

If your home is well-sealed and weatherized, but lacks adequate air exchange, pollutants can quickly build up inside. Opening windows can let in fresh air, but is counterproductive when heating or cooling your home. Adding a source of controlled mechanical ventilation can solve this problem.

Maintain Your Heating and Cooling System

When your HVAC system isn’t well maintained, mold and allergens can proliferate in the ductwork, and deadly carbon monoxide (CO) can leak into your air supply. Scheduling an annual HVAC system inspection, cleaning and tune-up, not only keeps your air cleaner and healthier, it also improves efficiency and lowers energy consumption.

Purify the Air

If anyone in your family suffers from allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems, talk to a licensed professional about installing a whole-house air purifier in your HVAC system. The whole-house systems available today improve indoor air quality in three different ways:

• A pleated media filter catches dust, pollen and other airborne particles.
• A UV light kills viruses and bacteria.
• A specialized mesh plate destroys organic compounds and removes chemicals and odors.

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.

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