Protect the Valentine's Day Mood with High-Quality Indoor Air
Indoor air quality isn't something that many people think about, but it happens to influence everyone nearly everywhere. Since modern humans spend so much time indoors, people are constantly exposed to more polluted air than they would find outdoors. During this time of year, as winter comes to a close, indoor air quality is more important than ever.
Being cooped up inside all winter long in a house with poor air quality can take a noticeable toll on health. This Valentine's Day, homeowners should take some advice from the professionals that can help homeowners keep their indoor air healthy.
Common Indoor Air Contaminants
Most of what accumulates in indoor air results from normal human activity. Dust from the outside, clothing, and skin cells accumulate in indoor air and on surfaces. The build-up of dust creates the perfect environment for little microscopic insects called dust mites that live and feed on dust particles. Both of these can contribute to respiratory problems.
For homes with pets, they can contribute greatly to poor indoor air quality. Cats and dogs track dirt in from outside, and slough off hair and skin that can lower air quality and tax a home's HVAC system.
Other contributors to low indoor air quality include daily activities. Taking showers can raise the humidity in the air that contributes to mold and fungus spores. Cooking or using perfume and hairspray products can cause volatile compounds to suspend in the air for days. Sneezing and coughing can pump bacteria and viruses that contribute to illnesses.
Air Purifiers and Sanitizers
Many homeowners turn to air purifiers and sanitizers to combat these threats to good indoor air quality. For homeowners shopping to improve indoor air quality, the terminology can be confusing. The two appliances work in different ways to accomplish slightly different goals.
Air purifiers are essentially air filters. Air purifiers use HEPA or ionic filtration to reduce dust in the air. The filters are very efficient at removing large particles that contribute to low air quality like pollen, dander, and dust.
Air sanitizers use UV light to destroy biological organisms in the air and reduce some VOCs and odors. Recently, UV light air sanitizers installed in line with a home's HVAC system have become very popular. They constantly work to sanitize air every time the HVAC system cycles on.
Other Ways To Clean up Indoor Air
Apart from using air purifiers and sanitizers, homeowners can take other steps to improve indoor air, such as:
- Running exhaust vents in bathrooms to remove humidity and odors from personal care products.
- Upgrading HVAC filters to remove more particles from the air.
- Washing curtains and bed linens regularly.
- Reducing clutter to make dusting flat surfaces easier.
- Regularily clean clogged air filters.
About City Plumbing
City Plumbing works to serve Philadelphia, PA with quality service. For over 20 years, they have helped residential and commercial customers find plumbing solutions. Fully stocked trucks and trusted technicians ensure they can fix problems faster. Contact them to learn more about their HVAC services.
