Are You Making Your Indoor Air Quality Worse?

The American Lung Association states that Jacksonville, FL, has a low level of outdoor air pollution. But what about the air inside your home? Let’s look at three things that can worsen the quality of your indoor air.

Smoking Cigarettes Inside Your House

Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals. Most of these chemicals are toxic, and some have links to cancer. Breathing these chemicals is a health risk for smokers and nonsmokers.

When you smoke inside your home, the air quality gets worse. Chemicals from cigarette smoke can cling to walls, furniture, fabrics and carpets. This means the toxins can linger long after the cigarette is out.

If you’re a healthy adult, you might not feel the consequences of the toxins. But children, older adults and people with respiratory issues are vulnerable.

If you want better indoor air quality, never smoke inside your home. Stay away from doors and windows when smoking outside your home.

Not Changing a Dirty Air Filter

The quality of your HVAC filter affects your indoor air. You want the filter to trap dust, pollen and pollutants that might circulate in the air. Never changing the filter means it becomes dirty and ineffective.

Consider replacing your filter every 30 to 90 days. It depends on usage and the type of filter you have in your HVAC system. But a fresh filter is a simple way to protect your indoor air quality.

Neglecting to Schedule HVAC Maintenance

Your HVAC system moves air through your home every time it runs. Regular maintenance can keep down pollutants that might build up inside the system.

For instance, the coils or fan might have microbial growth that’s out of sight. Microbes worsen the quality of your air. Maintenance allows a service technician to check for issues and ensure clean air is circulating.

You can change bad habits that harm your indoor air quality. You can also learn more about how to get cleaner indoor air. Contact Cool R Us, Inc A/C & Heating for indoor air quality solutions in Jacksonville, FL.

Image provided by iStock