We had a client who recently called in because they saw our recent post about indoor air quality and were concerned about a musty smell they noticed in their own home. In addition, they had recently called a pest control company to remove dust mites. We knew immediately that their suspicions were right and that indoor air quality needed to be addressed immediately.
Musty air and dust mites are strongly correlated symptoms of poor IAQ because dust mites will only show up in an environment where they can thrive - and that environment is stagnant, humid, and dusty.
So, what are the best practices when it comes to maintaining a healthy indoor air quality?
Use The Bathroom Exhaust While Showering
A lot of homeowners have misconceptions about the bathroom exhaust fan (some people online believe the primary use of the bathroom exhaust is to diffuse the sound and/or smell of their bathroom break!). The truth about the bathroom exhaust is the primary purpose is to take the moisture out of the air during a hot shower. Humid air inside the home over a long period of time create mold, deterioration of wood, paint, and other valuables inside the home. Indoor humidity also creates that thriving environment for dust mites.
Change Your Air Filters Monthly
America is facing a crisis that hardly anybody is talking about. People are spending more of their time indoors than they ever have, but 82% of American homeowners fail to change their air filters monthly. It is having a severe effect on American's respiratory health, allergies, asthma, etc.
Fan and Window Airflow
A large part of improving indoor air quality can be summed up in one line: keep the indoor air flowing. Fans and windows help keep your indoor air flowing, preventing stagnation.
Dust, Vacuum, Seal, and Sweep
Indoor air quality has a lot to do with the HVAC system, and keeping air flowing throughout your house, but there are other aspects which have a great effect on your indoor air quality, but they're out of the expertise of an HVAC professional. Rugs, crevices, and shelves can collect a lot of dust and that dust gets released into your indoor air supply. In addition, many corners, windows, and doorways are letting in humidity and air from the outside. Make sure your home is as tightly sealed as it can be.
Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to having the perfect indoor air quality. However, you can join an elite group in America that is taking part in the best practices by simply sticking to the first 2 systems presented in this blog post: use your exhaust fans and change air filters. You will already be doing more than 80% of Americans in terms of improving your indoor air quality.
If you would like to consult with HVAC professionals and indoor air quality experts in Chattanooga, TN, give us a call! Scenic Air Solutions owner, John Giles, has been designing custom HVAC solutions in Chattanooga for over 50 years! He is on the bleeding edge of HVAC technology and innovation, and would happily offer a free consultation over the phone.
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