Fear of poor indoor air quality is an understandable concern that can be remedied by following a few basic tips. Here are 10 tips to cleaner indoor air:
- Furnaces and water heaters that are powered by fossil fuels should be vented to the outside with power vents to ensure gases don’t enter occupied indoor areas.
- Bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms should feature a quiet, energy-efficient fan to vent unwanted moisture and odors outside.
- Keep the garage closed off from the rest of the house by installing an automatic door closer. Avoid running ducts through the garage; if that can’t be avoided, make sure the ducts are properly sealed.
- Hearth products like wood stoves and fireplaces should be vented properly and include tight doors for safety purposes.
- Use a filter in your air conditioner and furnace to trap airborne pollutants. Clean or replace the filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Dryers should be vented to the exterior, as should central vacuums if your home has this feature.
- Don’t store volatile compounds in occupied spaces, but in areas such as the shed or garage instead. Such compounds include paint, paint thinner, solvents and pesticides.
- Avoid the frequent use of unvented combustion sources inside your home, including vent-free heaters, indoor barbecues and even candles.
- Vent fresh outdoor air into your home regularly by using a whole-home mechanical ventilation system.
- Check the windows around your house to make sure they can be opened in the event of household cleaning, painting and other projects that can pollute your home.
Maintaining clean indoor air is important, and fortunately it can be accomplished without too much strain. If you have more questions about keeping the air in your mid-Ohio home clean and free of harmful pollutants, contact the experts at Joe Behr Plumbing and Heating today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about improving indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, visit our website.
Joe Behr Plumbing and Heating, Inc. services the Mid-Ohio area.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
