We often think of the outdoors as a place to get “fresh air,” but few realize the importance of ventilation in the home–which is usually less than good. You may think the air is cleaner because it is separated from the rest of the world, but simple day-to-day activities and processes within the home can contaminate it and trap it inside.
There is a specific kind of dust that can be found in every home – made up of pollen, dander, skin cells, and many other things that come when animal and plant life are present. While not dangerous to general health, this type of dust irritates allergies (everyone has subtle allergies!) and decreases the quality of air in your home. Non-living things inside your walls can also secrete air contaminants. Items such as insulation, carpet, furniture, and building materials constantly release unnecessary particles into your house. Again, these are rarely dangerous, but do decrease the quality of the air.
Besides constant processes, specific activities within your home may be reducing your air quality. Smoking, painting, using cleaning supplies, and utilizing combustion sources all contaminate the air. Some types of these products are obviously less harmful than others (e.g., “green” cleaners, cleaner-burning forms of energy), but nothing leaves the air ideal for breathing.
It may seem we are all doomed to breathe this dangerous air for every minute we spend in our homes…but don’t worry! There is an easy solution to removing these contaminants from the air: ventilation. Whether it be natural ventilation through doors and windows or mechanical ventilation by use of fans and ducts, you need to keep your air moving in and out. This is especially true of areas that are damp, warm, or particularly susceptible to fumes, such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Due to this recent concern of poor air in the home, many heating and cooling companies have added indoor air quality to their list of services. TalkLocal can quickly and easily connect you to these experts for more information on these services. After submitting a service request online, you can talk to a local heating and cooling company on the phone in as little as 90 seconds–and be well on your way to breathing cleaner air!
