How to Protect and Enhance the Indoor Air Quality of Your Home While Under Stay-At-Home Orders from Your Job, Your Doctor, or Local Government Officials
The coronavirus disease 2019 – otherwise known as “COVID-19” – is a highly infectious disease that was first identified by scientists and medical professionals in Wuhan, China.
Health Officials in the eastern Asia country reported a mysterious type of pneumonia impacting a cluster of 41 patients to the World Health Organization on December 31st 2019.
Since then, this disease has spread globally, resulting in massive amounts of illness and death. Since March 11th 2020 – when the WHO declared the outbreak as a “pandemic” – millions of people – in the United States alone – have been issued a “Stay-at-Home” order.
If you are one of these individuals, continue reading to learn how to protect and enhance the indoor air quality of your home to ensure your safety while in your home for prolong periods of time.
Indoor Air Quality is Highly Significant During This Time Period
The topic of indoor air quality has grown increasingly important in the past few weeks. This has stemmed from the fact that so many people are now being ordered to remain at home in order to flatten the curve associated with the illness.
There is more, though.
The seasonal flu, colds, and allergies are impacting a great deal of people during this time.
While we often view allergens and irritants as those items that are outside of our homes, they are within our indoor living spaces, too.
The Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed that – despite being inside – the air that we breathe has the potential to detrimentally impact our health.
During this time, many people are utilizing a higher level of chemical cleansing agents within their homes in order to reduce infectious agents. Pollen is floating in and out of our homes and may come in on our clothing and on our pets.
With more people being inside at a time, dust is at an all-time high. In addition to exposure to these agents, pet dander, mold spores, and other types of impurities may be floating throughout the air in our homes.
We must all take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones during this challenging time.
The good news is, there are several steps that may be taken – according to the Environmental Protection Agency – that will help you achieve the highest air quality and provide an instant boost to your health.
Effective Steps for Cleaning Up Indoor Air
Step 1: Have Your HVAC System Inspected
The first step to boosting the indoor air quality in your home is to have your HVAC system thoroughly inspected.
When this appliance is working properly, it will actually improve the quality of the air that you breathe. It succeeds in this endeavor by eliminating dust, dirt, and other types of debris and by directly controlling the amount of humidity within your home.
If it is not working appropriately, it could actually kick these substances back out through your ventilation system.
The main area of focus – in terms of air quality – on a HVAC system should be the duct work.
If the unit is not working properly, a lot of different types of debris can become lodged in the air ducts and will find their way out when air is blowing through the unit.
Step 2: Change the Air Filters in Your HVAC System
Since we are on the topic of your home’s HVAC system, it is important to outline changing the air filter. In most instances, these must only be changed once a month or every three months; however, that is given the fact that you are typically not at home as often.
If you find yourself spending more time in your home due to a stay-at-home order or a preventative measure, the air filter will have to be changed more often.
For example, if you typically change your air filter once a month, you will need to change it every two weeks. If you fail to do this, pollutants and irritants will become lodged in the filter and will be released right back inside of your home.
This will result in serious levels of air contamination.
Eventually, it could result in the onset of health problems, such as a higher level of susceptibility to seasonal allergies, breathing complications, and other issues that are similar in nature.
Step 3: Reduce Humidity Levels Within Your Home
The third step to improving the air quality of your home is to make certain that the humidity level is kept below 50% – at all times.
You should ensure that the ventilation system of your HVAC unit is running optimally. You may utilize fans in order to circulate the air.
If there is a lot of moisture outdoors – as in rain – keep windows, doors, etc. closed. By reducing the humidity levels in your home, you are also reducing the chance for mold to develop. The mold spores have the ability to result in illness.
A professional HVAC technician is capable of assisting with humidity levels in the home.
In addition to this, these professionals can assist in providing pleated air filters that capture mold spores, which are considered to be that of the highest efficiency.
Let Us Help
We here at Reynold’s, we offer a large assortment of residential services that will aid in boosting the inside air quality at your home. We have been in service in Wayne County for over three decades.
We focus on air conditioning services, those with a heavy focus on air purification, heating services, gas piping, flue piping, service contracts that will ensure optimal air quality, floor heating, and a multitude of other services.
We know that you are concerned about your health – especially during this very challenging time. We are here – to partner with you and your family – to ensure that all steps are taken to help you all stay healthy.
While there is no cure for COVID-19, allergies, the flu, or viral agents, clean air is critical to ensuring that you are able to experience optimal health. For more information, you may contact us at: 765-966-0994
