This Valentine’s Day, love the air you breathe with these IAQ tips
It’s no secret that winters in Detroit are cold and most homeowners lock their houses up tight to keep out the frigid winter air.
But that can lead to stale, mildewy air that can cause a number of respiratory ailments. These include asthma attacks, allergies and difficulty breathing.
Your Detroit-area heating experts at C & C Heating & Air Conditioning want you and your family to stay warm and improve your Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Here are some tips to help you do both:
1. Change your heating system’s air filter
Regularly changing your heating system’s filter not only keeps your air clean, it also helps your heating system run at its most efficient. Most filters should be changed between one and three months.
2. Have your ductwork cleaned
If your home is more than 10 years old and your ductwork has never been professionally cleaned, now is the time. Make sure the team you hire to clean your ducts is certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. Teams with this certification ensure the work is being done according to national standards.
3. Keep your house clean
Keeping your floors swept or vacuumed helps keep your ductwork from sucking in pollutants like dust, pet fur or dander, and pollen, which keeps them from being recirculated throughout your house.
4. Get some houseplants
Through a process called photosynthesis, green leaves pull in carbon dioxide and water to convert into the sugars that feed the plant. Oxygen is a byproduct of that chemical reaction, so having green, leafy plants in the home freshens your air.
5. Use appliances appropriately
Never turn on a gas stove to heat your home and always use vents when you cook. This keeps carbon monoxide (CO) from building up in your home.
6. Check your CO alarms
Make sure the batteries in your home’s CO and fire alarms are in good condition. If you don’t have these alarms, get them. You can buy easy-to-install alarms at your local hardware or home improvement store. If you can’t afford them, call your local fire department. They often have programs to help provide these alarms to people in need.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that the levels of pollutants contained in indoor air are two to five times higher than in outdoor air. This is of particular concern because it is estimated that people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors.
At C & C, we take IAQ seriously. Not only do we offer duct cleaning and repairs, we also provide a variety of air filtration units, germicidal lights and humidity-control systems. If you need help falling in love with your home’s air this Valentine’s Day, give us a call at (586) 439-3319.
