Factors That Improve & Hurt Your IAQ

The quality of your indoor air is important. You probably spend a considerable amount of time in your home, and contaminants that collect inside can have pretty strong effects.

Some things you might notice if you have poor IAQ are:

  • Asthma and Allergy Flare-Ups or Attacks
  • Irritation of the Nose, Eyes and Throat
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions
How can you improve indoor air quality? It’s important to understand what to do and what not to do.

Some people develop more sensitivity as the exposure goes on. In severe cases, poor IAQ can even increase your risk of certain cancers and respiratory diseases.

So how can you improve your indoor air quality?

6 Tips For Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

Some of these may seem obvious, but actually implementing them as a habit can be tricky.

  • Open your windows. Want  to save money by keeping all your conditioned air inside? You might be hurting your IAQ if you prevent ventilation. Just 5 – 10 minutes everyday can make a huge difference.
  • Clean your home regularly. It’s not always fun. But dust that remains on surfaces can pick back up into the air.
  • Maintain a healthy humidity level. The ideal humidity level is 30 – 50%. You can achieve this with a humidifier or dehumidifier; humidity problems can also be caused by an improperly working HVAC unit. A home that is too dry or humid can encourage the spread and reproduction of germs.
  • Avoid synthetic fragrances. Most aerosol sprays, air fresheners, candles and more just cover up IAQ issues and can actually make them worse by adding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the air.
  • Get a few house plants. Plants such as english ivy or peace lilies are great at filtering toxins out of the air.
  • Consider an air cleaner. A technology alternative to a houseplant that is much less maintenance and much more effective, an air cleaner provided by Alco is installed directly into your HVAC system, out of your way.
types of air purifiers

3 Surprising Things That Harm Your IAQ

Dryer sheets. Dryer sheets have been proven to contain VOCs, and they aren’t always necessary.

New furniture. A lot of furniture and carpeting are treated with VOCs. You might be able to check if that is the case by researching the manufacturer.

Old shower curtains. The mildew that collects in the shower area can release spores. If you can smell it, it is affecting your IAQ. It’s a good idea to use a curtain liner that you can dispose of periodically.

At the end of the day, you might be a bit overwhelmed by all of the factors impacting your indoor air quality. If you need any advice, the experts at Alco Air are here to help at 903-212-7708 .