4 Devices for Improving Your Indoor Air Quality
Clean air is vital for our health. While most people are aware of outdoor pollutants and irritants, such as smog and pollen, many people may not realize that indoor contaminants can also damage a person’s health. Common sources of indoor pollution include dust mites, pet dander, cigarette smoke, mold, and airborne bacteria. According to the experts at housepro.net, indoor pollutants release toxic gases and particles, deteriorating the indoor air quality of your home. And poor ventilation and humidity are some of the key factors that worsen the situation. This, in turn, can trigger allergies and other health conditions. Thus, it would be best to contact industry professionals who can help test the indoor air quality of your home and eliminate potential hazards.
Here is a look at four devices that can improve your indoor air quality, help keep you feeling good, and maybe even help you live a longer, healthier life.
Air Purifying Plants
Image via Flickr by Dimitrio Lewis
Introducing certain plants into your home can help keep the air clean and naturally eliminate harmful gasses and other pollutants like carbon monoxide, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
Among the most helpful plants for this are the areca palm (butterfly palm), the Chinese evergreen and the dragon tree. Adding these plants to your house will keep it looking good and help improve the air quality as well.
Air Purifiers
Air purifiers can be used to eliminate many common allergens usually found indoors. For those who suffer from allergies or asthma, air purifiers can greatly improve the quality of the air that you breathe in your home or office.
Indoor contaminants can come from typical household items, including mattresses, fireplaces, gas stoves, and beauty products that come in aerosol cans. By using an air purifier, you can greatly reduce these contaminants while eliminating other possible problems like mold or pet dander.
It’s important to note that ionic air cleaners may emit ozone, which can be an irritant for some people. Check to make sure the air purifier you purchase doesn’t emit ozone.
UV Lamps
UV or ultraviolet lamps can also improve indoor air quality. This relatively new technology has been available to homeowners since the mid-1990s. UV lamps are environmentally friendly because they work simply by emitting light. They also destroy many potentially harmful organisms like mold, bacteria, and spores. If you’re interested in using UV lamps to improve your indoor air quality, contact a licensed HVAC contractor such as Ray’s HVAC to make sure the installation is done correctly and safely.
Dehumidifiers
Controlling the humidity level in your house is important to maintaining good indoor air quality. If your home gets too humid (usually above 50% humidity according to the EPA), mold will grow and spread throughout your home, compromising air quality. This can lead to illnesses and allergies due to unhealthy air.
You can install a dehumidifier as part of your HVAC system to work throughout the house, or you can use portable units that work in one room at a time. Either way, a dehumidifier can be a very helpful in improving indoor air quality.
Maintaining clean indoor air is essential. According to the World Health Organization, 80% of the people living in urban areas that monitor pollution are exposed to air quality that is below safe standards. By taking these steps, you can improve your family’s health and keep them safe from harmful threats like mold, spores, and bacteria.
