How Winter Affects the Air Quality in Your Home

November 12, 2024

Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, with much of that time spent at home. During winter, this percentage increases even further, making indoor air quality a critical concern. Poor air quality can contribute to both immediate and long-term health effects. Here’s a closer look at how winter conditions can influence the air quality in your home. Higher Pollution Concentration Levels Pollution levels in the home often increase during winter due to several factors. For one, outdoor pollution significantly impacts the quality of indoor air, and pollution levels tend to be higher in colder months. Many homes and businesses run fuel-based heating systems, and vehicle emissions increase in low temperatures. Additionally, cold air is denser, slowing down its movement and allowing pollutants to accumulate. Temperature inversions in winter, where warmer air traps pollutants near the ground to prevent them from dispersing, can further increase pollution levels. Another factor is the airtight structure of many homes. Modern homes are built to be highly energy-efficient, which requires tightly sealed construction. While this reduces energy costs, it also limits natural ventilation, and this causes pollutants to accumulate indoors. Many homes rely solely on heating systems for ventilation, which may not be sufficient....

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Indoor Air Pollution from Cooking

November 20, 2023

Cooking is something that almost everyone does in their homes, but what people don’t know is that it contributes quite a bit to indoor air pollution. Let’s take a look at why home-cooked meals might be polluting your home and what you can do about it. How Cooking Adds to Indoor Air Pollution The reason why cooking contributes to indoor air pollution is because you’re burning foreign substances and releasing them into the air. You’re releasing natural gas into the air if you have a gas stove, and any food that you cook releases chemicals and particles into the air. The same goes for any coatings that might be on pots and pans to prevent sticking. Reducing Air Pollution From Cooking The good news is that it isn’t that hard to reduce cooking-related air pollution. First of all, make good use of the range hood above your stove. Turn it on whenever you’re using your stovetop, and make sure it’s in good working condition. If you don’t have a range hood, have one installed. Next, open the windows in or near your kitchen. Opening one window is sometimes enough, but try to open a couple of windows to create a...

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How Indoor Carpets Impact Indoor Air Quality

October 18, 2023

Wall-to-wall carpets and area rugs can certainly make a home feel cozier and comfortable underfoot. However, carpets can have a surprising effect on your indoor air quality. In fact, carpets and rugs are potential breeding grounds for a variety of indoor pollutants. It is important to clean carpets regularly and have your HVAC equipment maintained routinely to minimize poor indoor air quality. Read on to learn how carpeting can affect your home’s indoor air quality in Solon, OH. Pollutants in Carpets Sometimes, it’s hard to see what’s in the fibers of your carpet. Those tiny piles and loops are the perfect hiding places for all sorts of debris. Not only do inert particles cling to the fibers, but some living organisms can grow in and on carpets. This is some of what can hide and even live in your carpets: Volatile organic compounds (VOC) Dirt and dust Pet dander Pollen Food particles Moisture Dust mites, fleas, and bed bugs Bacteria Mold and fungi Every time you walk or play on your carpet, these irritants can become airborne and will negatively impact indoor air quality. This can result in allergies and respiratory infections. Caring for Your Carpets The first line of...

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5 Ways to Increase Indoor Air Quality During the Winter Months

January 18, 2023

5 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality in the Winter You spend most of your time indoors during the winter. Unfortunately, the indoor air quality of your home can plummet during this time of year. There are thankfully things that you can do to keep your indoor air quality as high as possible. 1. Keep Your Home Clean Keeping your home clean will improve its air quality. Regularly dust surfaces and clean bedding. Vacuum carpets and rugs with a HEPA vacuum cleaner once or twice a week. 2. Install Indoor Air Quality Products Air purifiers trap dust, pet dander, and other air pollutants. To remove air pollutants from your entire home, invest in a whole-house air purifier. This device is installed in your home’s HVAC system where it cleans all the air that passes through it. You can also have a whole-house dehumidifier installed in your HVAC system. This device will keep your entire home at an ideal humidity level. 3. Change the Air Filter You should schedule an HVAC company to tune up your furnace in the spring. As part of this service, they will change the air filter as needed. In the winter, check the air...

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Do Plants Help Indoor Air Quality

February 19, 2020

In 1989, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) published a study claiming that plants have a positive impact on increasing indoor air quality. The researchers brought in common, popular houseplants, such as snake plants and peace lilies, to see if they can act as natural purifiers. The researchers found that the presence of these plants reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs), like benzene or formaldehyde, which are certain types of air pollutants. The Story Is More Complicated The real story, however, is much less certain. While certainly, plants may help, the researchers conducted these experiments in controlled, plexiglass chambers the size of boxes. Our homes are far from these regulated chambers. In reality, good ventilation systems, which exchange indoor and outdoor air continuously, accounts for VOC removal in practice. It turns out, that while plants can improve indoor air quality, they are no substitute for quality air conditioning and ventilation systems because they simply filter too slowly. We at can install your air quality systems in Cleveland and across Northeast Ohio. Plants Help, but They Cannot Substitute Quality Air Conditioning So, do plants help improve air quality? In theory, they do. However, in real-life, their effects are very limited. An...

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