At Hughes Mechanical in Denver, we understand the importance of indoor air quality. It can make all the difference in keeping you and your family healthy throughout the year. There are several things you can do to improve the air quality in your home, regardless of season.
TIPS TO IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Regular Cleaning
While you may want to keep your home clean for aesthetic reasons, it can dramatically improve your indoor air quality. Dust mites, pollen, and other allergens all make their way into your home on your clothing, through open doors, and even on the family pet’s fur. Regularly vacuuming and dusting your home can go a long way towards keeping these allergens under control and reducing your prolonged exposure to them. For maximum prevention, mop after vacuuming and provide a doormat inside for people to wipe their feet before they step onto your floor.
Avoid Excess Humidity
Mold thrives in a humid environment, and in Colorado, the wet spring and hot summer often raise the average percentage of humidity. While your home will likely be less humid than outside, it can still absorb more moisture than is ideal. In general, your home should stay around 40 percent humidity in order to keep the air free of contaminants. If you find that your home feels muggy or overly humid, consider installing a dehumidifier to keep your home’s moisture under control.
Use An Air Purifier
Not all homes have air conditioning units with built-in dehumidifiers or excellent filtration systems. In fact, many air conditioning systems use a thin, one-inch filter, making it difficult to capture much in the way of dust and debris. In these instances, Hughes Mechanical can help optimize your existing system or install a separate air purifier to keep your home free and clear of contaminants. We recommend either a high-quality HEPA filter or an electron air filter to trap the most contaminants. However, we also offer a media filter that, while not as effective as the HEPA filter, costs less and has helped many people in the Denver area improve their indoor air quality.
Open The Windows
If your allergies are not aggravated by allergens outside, open the windows. After staying sealed against cold air through the winter, your home’s air quality may become stale. Letting fresh air in will remove any contaminants from your home’s paint or cleaning chemicals that may have built up. Even the best filter can’t catch everything and letting cool spring air will freshen things up.
Buy Machine Washable Linens
Curtains, pillowcases, sheets, and towels all store allergens and contaminants. Consider buying machine washable pillowcases and curtains and wash them regularly. Not only will you notice that the fabric will look less dingy, you’ll also avoid that buildup of dust that sends clouds flying when you toss the pillow or draw the curtain. Be sure to wash your towels regularly as well. Even if you think your bathroom is clean, your towels can mildew and encourage mold growth because they hold onto moisture. Washing them regularly will keep the mold from developing and will remove any built up dust and debris.
Use Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
Microfiber cleaning cloths are a great way to pick up dust without leaving dust trails behind. The fibers lock the dust into the cloth and keep it from escaping as you move to the next surface. Additionally, they’re machine washable, making them a great alternative to paper towels and other disposable dusting tools.
Hughes Mechanical in Denver is your local source for indoor air quality improvements. Contact us today to set up an appointment or to discuss your current air filtering situation. We’re here to help and our experienced technicians can revamp your current system to achieve the best filtration results.