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improving indoor air quality in the fallNow that fall is here and there’s a chill in the air, you’ve probably already resigned yourself to the fact that your windows and doors will be closed up tight for the next several months. While this keeps your home cozy and warm throughout the cold Cleveland winters, it also can have a slightly detrimental effect on your and your family’s health. Why? Well, airing out your house by opening the doors and windows provides a chance to lower concentrations of any toxic chemicals, carbon dioxide and any other “bad stuff” to escape out into the great wide open.

Improving Indoor Air Quality in Your Home

Don’t despair! There are still a few things you can do throughout the fall and winter to ensure the indoor air quality of your home is the best it can be. Your options include:

  • Purchase a better vacuum. If your current vacuum tends to spit out more dust and dirt than it picks up, it’s time to invest in a new one. There are plenty of affordable vacuum cleaners on the market today that include a HEPA air filter, stronger suction, and faster rotating brushes to make sure you’re getting rid of as much grime on your floors – and thus, keeping it out of the air – as possible. Make sure to use the attachment brush from time to time to clean moldings, walls and carpet edges.
  • Ditch the synthetic air fresheners. Those plug-in air fresheners do make your home smell lovely, but some of them contain synthetic fragrances that can emit harmful chemicals into the air. In fact, one study revealed that some popular air fresheners release as much as 100 volatile organic chemicals into the air in your home! The same goes for some candles, or even cleaning products and detergents. Look for natural or fragrance-free cleaning options. And, if you’re looking for a way to make your home smell nice, try simmering some cinnamon, cloves and apples on your stove.
  • Let plants go to work. One of the simplest ways to improve indoor air quality? Pick up some houseplants and let them naturally purify the air in your home. For example, Bamboo Palms are highly effective at removing chemical contaminants like formaldehyde and benzene, and plus they help keep the air most during the dry winter months.
  • Get your ducts cleaned. Air ducts should be cleaned every three to five years to not only remove possible contaminants, but also to ensure your HVAC system is working as efficiently as possible. If you’re noticing more dust around the home than usual, mold growing in or around the ducts, or you or a family member’s allergies are acting up, it’s time to schedule an air duct cleaning to help improve indoor air quality.

Are you ready to improve indoor air quality at your home? The team at Efficient Heating and Cooling is ready to help with a variety of indoor air quality services! If you’re in the greater Cleveland area, contact our team today! Or, give us a call at 216-663-6462.