Improving Air Quality in Your Maryland Home

Here are two facts provided by the EPA that, when considered together, will probably make you think a little more closely about your health:

  1. The average American spends 87 percent of his or her time indoors.
  2. Indoor levels of pollutants might be as much as 100 times the levels found outdoors.

Not a good combination.

The good news is you can significantly improve air quality in your home simply by making smarter lifestyle choices. Here are six easy ways to improve air quality in your home:

  1. Avoid toxic cleaning products. Skip cleaners that contain harsh solvents or strong fragrances – they’re loaded with toxins. Here’s a tip: simple, homemade vinegar and baking soda cleaners will do the trick for cleaning and disinfecting just about any counter, sink, or other surface.
  2. Choose air-friendly building materials. Fiberglass-covered drywall or gypsum board is mold resistant, and any good paint manufacturer will offer a low-VOC option (VOCs – or volatile organic compounds –can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment). These materials add some expense to your project, but they’ll pay off in the long run with better health and no need to redo your handiwork in the event of a mold problem.
  3. Get greener. Plants are natural filters for toxic chemicals and vapors from your indoor air. They look great, too!
  4. Ventilate hobby rooms – or work outside. Paint stripping, soldering, gluing, painting, and other activities pollute your indoor air, so make sure your hobby room is vented – or better yet, do the work outdoors.
  5. Get your HVAC equipment serviced every year. One of the best ways to keep your air healthy is to get regular tune-ups for your heating and cooling systems. Want an even better way? Sign up for a high value Carroll Service Plan.
  6. Consider installing Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) equipment. If budget allows, whole house air cleaners and UV lights will kill most airborne bacteria and virtually all airborne mold spores, and properly humidified air (kept that way by a humidifier or dehumidifier) will prevent conditions that create mold in the first place. Investing in one of these systems (or both!) is a great way to keep your home air clean and healthy.

Need service for your HVAC system, or help improving your indoor air quality? Contact Carroll today to talk about options for your Maryland home!

For everything you need in home heating, trust the pros at Carroll Home Services – keeping Maryland homes warm for more than a century! Contact us to get started today!