Improving the indoor air quality in your West Chester area home is essential for good health. The EPA has identified indoor air in the typical home as one of the top five environmental hazards. Gaseous and particulate pollutants in your home can exacerbate allergy and asthma symptoms, and can cause a number of health problems later on. Three ways to improve your indoor air quality include source control, air cleaning technologies and optimum ventilation in the home.

Source control

Eliminating the source of pollutants will considerably improve your indoor air quality.

• Maintain your HVAC equipment annually to reduce gaseous emissions.
• Use chemical-free cleaning solutions to keep dangerous chemicals out of your home.
• Have your home tested for radon, a naturally occurring gas that can cause lung cancer.
• Opt for natural fibers and building materials. Synthetic fibers and composite building materials off-gas a number of dangerous chemicals, including formaldehyde.
• Keep your home's humidity between 30 and 50 percent to help prevent the growth of mold. 

Air cleaners

In addition to your HVAC system's air filter, portable and whole-house air cleaners can rid your home of a high percentage of particles and gaseous pollutants.

• Gas phase air filters use a sorbent, such as activated charcoal, to absorb the dangerous gaseous contaminants in your air.
• Electronic air cleaners utilize electrostatic attraction to either trap particles such as pollen, mold and animal dander on a collection plate or cause them to fall from the air and collect on surfaces to be cleaned by hand.
• UVGI cleaners use ultraviolet radiation to kill biological contaminants like viruses and bacteria.

Ventilation

Bringing clean outdoor air inside and venting stale air outside is essential for good air quality.

• Turn on your kitchen and bathroom vents when cooking or bathing.
• Open your windows on nice days.
• If you have a tightly-sealed home, consider a mechanical ventilation system that continuously cycles outdoor air through your home. 

Tri-County Heating & Cooling is dedicated to the comfort and indoor air quality of West Chester area residents. For more expert advice about improving your home's indoor air quality, please feel free to contact us. 

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