Homeownership 24 July 2024

How to Quickly Improve Indoor Air Quality

Unfortunately, air quality alerts are becoming a more common occurrence these days. Aside from that, there are many reasons why the air quality in your home may not be at its best. Maybe it’s a faulty furnace or an aged carpet to blame. Until you get those issues addressed, how can you quickly improve indoor air quality?

 

Here are some ideas: 

 

Use an Air Purifier

Choose a device that uses a HEPA filter, the gold standard for indoor air purifiers. Also, look for one that has a CADR rating equal to at least two-thirds of the room’s area. You may also want to consider if the purifier’s energy costs and ongoing maintenance costs are within your budget. 

 

Check the Furnace Filter

This is one of the most overlooked maintenance items in the home. Any furnace repair person can tell you stories about filters they’ve seen caked in dust. Make sure those aren’t yours. Air passes through those filters before circulating throughout your home. Replacing a filter takes less than five minutes. 

 

Clean the Drains

Drains are a surprisingly common source of odour in the home. Most people only clean them when they’re clogged, but they should be flushed thoroughly with a good-quality cleaner at least once a season. 

 

Turn on the Bathroom Fan

Not only do bathroom fans remove odour, but they also reduce moisture build-up. About 50% of air pollutants originate from some type of moisture; mould is the worst of these pollutants. Professionals recommend you keep your bathroom fan on for at least 30 minutes after a shower. 

 

Clean your Doormat

Even if your doormat doesn’t smell, it can be a source of air pollutants. When people wipe their shoes, they transfer outside pollutants from their shoes to your mat. 

 

Hope these tips have you breathing a little bit easier!

 

Related: Instant Home Improvement: Budget-Friendly Tips for a Fresh Look

 


 

Looking to buy, sell, or invest? Contact me today for a complimentary property valuation!

 

For more information, contact:

 

Susan Moffat, REALTOR® with Century 21 In-Studio Realty Inc., Brokerage
519.377.5154
susan.moffat@c21.ca