5 Tips For Improving Indoor Air Quality

During the winter heating months, maintaining good Indoor Air Quality can be especially challenging. Cold weather encourages more time indoors with less fresh air, which in turn can lead to the spread of viruses and influenza as well as causing discomfort. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, our homes can have three to five times more pollutants than the outdoors. Follow these tips from JK Mechanical to improve your indoor air quality this winter and take control of your family’s health.

Add Some Houseplants

Your favorite houseplants don’t just look good—they can improve the air quality in your home by filtering contaminants and producing clean air. According to NASA’s Interior Air Pollution Study, plants such as the Peace Lily and Boston Fern can remove toxins and add oxygen to your living space. Have a black thumb? Try extra-hearty plants such as the Snake Plant or Porthos Ivy.

Change Your Air Filters

The air filter in your HVAC system is a crucial element of good indoor air quality. JK Mechanical’s Residential Service Technician Charlie recommends changing your air filter approximately every three months depending on the conditions in your home, but checking it regularly as well to be sure it’s in good condition. Not only will this improve your air quality, but your heating & cooling system will thank you for it, too.

Install CO2 Alarms (And Check batteries regularly!)

Carbon Monoxide (CO2) is a colorless and odorless gas, which can make it easy to catch people off-guard. General guidelines suggest each home should have one CO detector on each floor, one in or just outside each sleeping area, and one in the basement. Be sure and check your batteries regularly, just as you would with a smoke detector. Smart smoke and CO2 detectors such as the NEST Protect System use Wi-Fi to connect to your phone and send you alerts, even when you’re away from home.

Add an Air Scrubber, Air Purifier, or Air Cleaner

Air cleaning devices capture and kill contaminants such as mold, bacteria, viruses, pollen, smoke, and can eliminate up to 99.9% of airborne particles. There are several types of air filtration and purification options available to help clean the air in your home, from the NASA-certified Air Scrubber Plus, Carrier UV Lamp, Aprilaire 5000 Air Cleaner, and more. Your experienced JK Service Technician can help recommend an air purification system that is a good fit for your home and needs.

Take Control of your Humidity

While excess humidity of summer can be uncomfortable, the extreme dryness of winter air can contribute to a feeling of discomfort or aggravated illness. Carrier fan-powered, bypass, and steam Humidifiers offer a range of options to suit your size and style of space.  Introducing necessary moisture defends against dry skin, chapped lips, headaches, sore throat, itchy eyes, frizzy hair, greater vulnerability to infection, static shock, and damage to woodwork. Plus, properly moisturized air feels warmer, allowing higher thermostat settings, energy savings, and lower utility bills.

As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer in Lancaster County and surrounding areas, JK Mechanical is qualified to recommend and install proven effective air quality accessories, targeted at your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more.

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