How to Improve Indoor Air Quality

DUBLIN — Did you know the air inside residential homes can be up to 90% more polluted than the air outside? Due to a comparative lack of ventilation, it’s easy for airborne contaminants like dust, dander, mold, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to build up inside the home and create poor indoor air quality (IAQ) levels. Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your home’s IAQ.

The most effective way to improve IAQ is to incorporate one or more air purification technologies within your existing HVAC system. For example, a high-efficiency air filtration product arrests airborne contaminants, while a UV light system eliminates viruses and other particles that are too small to be captured by a filter. When paired together, these technologies can dramatically improve IAQ levels in the home. Keep in mind that these systems require ongoing maintenance, including intermittent filter and UV bulb replacement.

Another HVAC component you should consider upgrading is your thermostat. A modern programmable thermostat gives you the ability to run your HVAC system’s fan without running the heat or air conditioning. This improves IAQ by circulating air through the ducts, which increases the effectiveness of the filtration and UV systems. Ideally, you should run your HVAC system’s fan for a few hours every day.