Keep Common Pollutants Out of Your Florida Home’s Indoor Air With These Tips

Unbeknownst to most Florida homeowners, indoor air quality isn’t what it should be in the typical home. We keep our homes closed during the long cooling season, and that means pollutants can build up unless they’re properly dealt with. Even during the winter, when we can open windows, it pays to be on guard and prevent indoor air pollution.

Following is a guide on the types of pollution homeowners are likely to encounter and can be done about them.

What’s Polluting Your Home?

The most common pollutant in your home is likely to be dust. Composed mostly of broken down earth and waste matter, dust may also be combined with flaking skin from humans or animals, deteriorating dust mites, hair and other particles.

Another common pollutant in Florida is mold, along with fungus and mildew. Also of concern are dust mites and pollen.

Household chemicals account for some pollution, with the emitting of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from pressed wood, paint, upholstery and carpets.

All the pollutants mentioned above can aggravate allergies or other respiratory problems.

What to Do

• Keep the house clean. Vacuum often with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, wash linens in hot water to kill dust mites, and use a damp mop or cloth to remove dust from hard surfaces.
• Keep chemical use to a minimum. Store cleaning products with the caps on, and choose those that have natural ingredients. Likewise, shop for furniture, carpet and other products without VOCs.
• Use exhaust ventilation in the kitchen and bathroom to prevent mold and mildew from growing in damp spaces, and make sure it ventilates outdoors and not to the attic.
• Use good quality air filters in the HVAC system. Install filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 5 to 8, and change as often as needed.
• Install an electronic air cleaner. Depending on the type of pollution you’re concerned about in your home, consider gas phase, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, electronic or electrostatic cleaners. Consult your HVAC pro.

For more information on how to prevent indoor air pollution in your Sarasota area home, contact Custom Air and Plumbing. We can tackle all your home comfort needs!

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