5 Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality When You Have Air Conditioning
Your air conditioner has a direct impact on your home's indoor air quality. If you want to protect or improve the quality of your air, there are numerous steps that can help. Take a look at these ideas:
1. Replace the Filter
All air conditioning units have an air filter. Whether they are a small ductless window or wall units or large HVAC units, there is always some kind of filter. Locate your filter and consider replacing it on a regular basis.
If your current filter is not a HEPA filter, see if you can find a HEPA filter that fits your AC. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air, and this type of filter is more effective at removing small particles from your air than any other type of filter.
2. Clean the Ducts
If you have a ducted system, dust and allergens can build up in the ductwork. When your AC is on, those particles get blown back into your home. To protect yourself, consider having the ducts professionally cleaned.
3. Dust the Vents
You may also want to clean your vents. They can become dust traps full of animal hair and other particles. However, if you vacuum and dust the vents on a regular basis, that prevents those elements from blowing around your home.
4. Put air Filters on Your Ceiling Fan Blades
A ceiling fan can help you save money on cooling costs, as the fan helps to move cool air around your home. However, you can also use your ceiling fans to improve your indoor air quality. Consider buying a small disposable filter that attaches to your fan blades. These filters trap contaminants, germs, and bacteria, and when the filter is saturated, you just throw it away and put on a new one. This takes some pressure off your AC.
5. Focus on Ventilation
Letting outdoor air into your home also helps to improve your indoor air quality. If your air conditioner is part of an HVAC system, make sure that you don't forget about the "v" in that acronym. The v stands for ventilation, and unfortunately, many homes don't have enough of it.
Talk with a professional to see if your home has enough ventilation and increase as needed. For example, you may want to add extra ventilation in the attic, or you may want to add fans to your bathroom or kitchen that vent to the great outdoors.