Air Quality Tips to Help You Breathe Better at Home

Air pollution is a serious factor that can adversely affect your health. People with and without allergies can experience negative symptoms such as difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and others when the quality of the air they breathe is contaminated. When exposed to air pollution for an extended period of time, more serious health issues such as cancer and heart disease can also threaten your health.

The common misconception about air pollution is that it can only occur outdoors. However, contrary to this belief, unhealthy air conditions can also occur inside your home or office, or any enclosed area where you spend a lot of your time.

Four Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning is a trusted Chicago HVAC company that has provided top-quality Chicago duct cleaning services for decades. We’re also your most reliable experts on enhancing the air quality inside homes, with HVAC duct and filter cleaning, air conditioning system maintenance, and air cleaning system installations. If you’re concerned about the air quality in your indoor environment, take a look at these tips from our experts at Four Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning to start breathing better at home.

Just like outdoor air pollution, unhealthy indoor air quality can come from a variety of causes—from dust and pollen, secondhand smoke, harmful gases from your stove or air conditioning system, allergens from pets and pests, and mold and mildew.

The most common indoor air pollutants in homes are dust, pet dander, and other tiny particles that become trapped inside your HVAC’s duct system, many homeowners turn to reliable Chicago duct cleaning services to ensure a healthier living environment.

As mentioned earlier, air pollution can occur both outside and inside your home. But how is this possible? Here are the top reasons:

• Deteriorating Window and Door Seals: Contaminants can enter your home through windows and doors if they’re not properly maintained or repaired. Pollen, smoke, and allergens enter through cracks around deteriorating window and door frames, or through holes or breaks in the seals or caulking surrounding the frames.
• Pets, Dust, and Mold: Aside from dust, pet dander and mold may already be inside your home and affect the quality of air.
• Furniture Products and Cleaning Supplies: Your furniture, appliances, and building materials may release harmful chemicals in the air. Also, certain chemicals commonly found in cleaning products may be toxic.

Tips to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution

It is never too late to improve the quality of air in your home. Below are some of the tips to reduce or eliminate these air pollutants:

• Clean Sheets and Carpets Regularly: Keep your carpets and sheets clean by washing them regularly. As much as possible, keep your pets off your bed. Aside from replacing your bed sheets, vacuum your floors on a weekly basis.
• Prevent the Growth of Mold: As mentioned earlier, mold is also a contributing factor to indoor air pollution. After showering, run a fan or vent for at least 15 minutes because mold thrives in damp places. Mold can also be prevented by cleaning your sink, toilet, and tub with vinegar, detergent, and clean water.
• Keep Outdoor Air Pollution Out: The best way to prevent air pollution from entering your home is by ensuring that your windows and doors are sealed shut. Also, it is recommended to change your clothes immediately and take a bath to prevent pollen and other allergens from circulating inside your home.
• Air Out New Products, Appliances, and Furniture: Surprisingly, new purchases like furniture, mattresses, or appliances can give off a strong chemical smell in a process called “off-gassing.” Off-gassing refers to the release of gases from an item, due to volatile organic compounds trapped inside the materials. If you experience difficulty breathing, dizziness, eye irritation, allergic reactions, and nausea, let these new items release gas in another room or in your garage for a couple of days until the gasses fade away. You can also coordinate with the store so they can let the air out in their warehouse before delivering the items in your home.
• Utilize Non-Toxic Cleaners and Unscented Products: Many household cleaning products, including bleach, ammonia, oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, air fresheners, dryer sheets, and others can be tough on our lungs and are also hard on the environment. Instead, use gentler solutions like vinegar instead of bleach or ammonia, and essential oils to clean your home without contaminating the quality of your air.

Professional Air Quality Services

Since 1971, Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning has been the leading Chicago HVAC company, providing homeowners with the following products and services that can improve the indoor air quality and keep families healthy:

• Chicago Duct cleaning services: We remove dust, mold, microbes, and other allergens in your HVAC system’s ducts, providing you with a comfortable living environment that is free from contaminants.
• Humidifiers: We provide whole-home bypass humidifiers and whole-home power humidifiers that can solve dry air problems and ensure optimum comfort.
• Air Cleaning Products: From UV lights that can kill viruses to top quality air cleaners and air filters, Four Seasons Heating & Cooling have a wide range of products for healthy indoor air.

To learn more about AC maintenance, AC repair, and air quality services from our top-rated Chicago air conditioning company, give us a call to speak with a representative today. You may also fill out this quick online form for a free consultation and air quality evaluation in your home, along with an accurate pricing estimate with one of our Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning representatives.