On average, humans breathe about 2,000 gallons of air every day. That’s enough to fill a swimming pool—every day! Since most of us spend about 90% of our time indoors, our indoor air quality is especially important. It may be surprising to hear, but air conditioning repair is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your indoor air healthy.
Benefits of Improved Indoor Air Quality
Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, you may think it costs too much or may be too much trouble to improve your indoor air quality. Well, the good news is, it doesn’t cost that much, it isn’t too much trouble, and cleaner air provides many benefits.
We sleep better, feel more energized, have fewer sick days, and work more efficiently when we breathe cleaner, fresher air. Read on for easy, inexpensive ways to improve your indoor air.
Make Air Conditioning Repairs as Soon as Possible
Your air conditioner does more than just cool the air; it cleans and conditions it too. When the AC doesn’t work correctly, it can lead to mold, mildew, dust, pollen, and other allergens building up in the ductwork of your HVAC system. Every time you turn on the air conditioner, you and your family breathe these unwanted and potentially harmful indoor pollutants. Having your AC unit maintained regularly is the best way to keep it working efficiently, but you can also watch for these warning signs a repair is needed:
- The house or space won’t cool no matter how long you leave the unit running
- The air smells moldy when you turn the AC on
- Loud banging or screeching noises while the unit is in use
- AC turns off or on independent of thermostat settings
- Utility bills are increasing without explanation
Don’t forget that keeping air filters changes and air ducts cleaned are part of AC maintenance. Both actions will go a long way to improving the quality of your indoor air.
Buy Indoor Plants
It may seem too simple to be true, but having a few plants in the house really can help improve the quality of air indoors. Studies have shown that plants decrease the presence of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other contaminants that can affect your health. The most recommended plants for cleaner air include:
- Ivy
- Pothos
- Snake plant
- Bamboo
- Lady Palm
- Peace lily
- Tulsi
As an added bonus, tending to growing things is also good for mental health.
Open the Windows
Modern homes are tightly constructed and well insulated. This is great for keeping out extreme temperatures and keeping utility costs low, but it’s not very good for circulating fresh air. When the weather permits, open as many windows as possible to create cross-breezes throughout your home. Natural ventilation will clear out stale re-circulated air let the fresh air in.
Get a Clean Air Assessment
If your indoor air isn’t’ as fresh as you’d like it to be, speak with a professional HVAC technician at Comfort Solution Technologies. We can assess your system and recommend additions such as a humidifier, a ventilation system, or a whole-house fan to make sure you and your family breathe easy every day.
