Indoor air quality refers to the amount of dust, humidity, germs, and other contaminants floating in the air in your home. High indoor air quality means the air is fresh and healthy, while low indoor quality can drastically affect your comfort or even your health. Here in La Habra, CA, we tend to worry about high temperatures in the summer rather than the quality of the air, but in truth, the two subjects go hand in hand. By improving your indoor air quality, you can help your air conditioner do its job more effectively, as well as make your home a nicer place to live in general. Here some effective ways to do it:
Humidify or Dehumidify
Ideally, the relative humidity levels in your home should be between 30% and 50%. (Relative humidity gauges the percentage of ambient moisture in the air.) If it’s too dry, your skin will feel itchy and cracked and your throat may feel scratchy. If it’s too moist, the air will feel hotter than it is and you skin may feel clammy. Neither condition is good for your long-term health, and both can adversely affect your home furnishings as well. Dehumidifiers pull moisture out of the air while humidifiers add moisture to it. Either or both may be appropriate for your home, depending on the specifics.
Air Purifiers
Air purifiers can include anything from simple filtration screens to electronic air purifiers (which ionize contaminants and cause them to stick to a collection pan), to UV purifiers which kill germs and other biological contaminants. These methods will leave the air feeling fresher and cleaner, as well as reduce the risk of illness for you and your family.
Your home is unique, and so too are the best methods to improve its indoor air quality. For more details, contact the IAQ professionals at JC Mechanical today to discuss your options.