Isn’t it time you breathe easy?
If you’ve worried about what you’ve been breathing in over the last year and a half, you’re not alone.
Between the smoke and haze of wildfires to the lingering threat of an unprecedented virus, our lungs – and our stress levels – have been through a lot.
We can’t fix everything, but we can help you breathe a little easier.
Read on for simple ways to improve the air quality inside your home.
Tip #1: Change your filter
The simplest and most important tip for cleaner air quality: check and change the air filter in your furnace. You’d be surprised what a difference it can make in air quality inside your home simply by changing your furnace filter regularly and often. Your air conditioner also runs air through your air filter in the warmer months, so don’t forget about it. If yours is visibly dirty, it’s time to switch it. A clean air filter also means your furnace and air conditioner don’t have to work as hard. A dirty filter clogs the airflow your system needs to work properly and efficiently.
Tip #2: Tune up your system
Your HVAC system isn’t intended to be ignored. For optimal performance, air conditioners and furnaces should be tuned up annually. Your system can be tuned up any time during the year. The only limitation is that is has to be 55 degrees or warmer outside to check your air conditioner. It’s not necessary to schedule tune-ups to coincide with the beginning of each season — you can beat the crowds and get yours done during the off season.
The investment in a professional tune-up typically more than pays for itself in reduced energy bills and a longer life for your system. Plus, a tuned-up system is less likely to break down suddenly during extreme weather.
Tip #3: Start cleaning
With fewer houseguests, we might not be thinking as much about vacuuming these days. After all, who are we trying to impress? But the increased time our family members spend at home makes it even more important to keep the floors swept.
More people spending more time at home means more dust and debris, which in turn means we’re more susceptible to breathing that stuff into our lungs.
Vacuuming regularly is an easy task that delivers a lot of return on your effort.
Not keen on vacuuming? There are an increasing number of robot vacuums on the market that can do the job automatically. You can sit back with a cup of coffee while a machine does the work!
Tip #5: Check your humidity
One factor you may not have thought about when it comes to indoor air quality: humidity levels. High humidity in summer can feel uncomfortable and sticky. High humidity that is too high at any time of year can encourage mold growth, which seriously impacts indoor air quality. On the other hand, humidity levels that are too low can also harm your health. Extra dry air makes it harder for your body to fight off germs and viruses due to reduction in mucus linings. Dry air can also make your skin more susceptible to irritation, rashes, and infections.
An automatic whole-home humidifier system can help keep humidity levels in balance (ideally between 30-50%) all year round. And the automatic models are set-it-and-forget-it!
Tip #6: Zap it up
If you’re serious about improving air quality, it’s worth looking into air filtration and ionization systems. Advancements in air quality technology can mean efficient and effective protection against dust, pollen, mold, and other particles. HEPA filters can capture 99% of airborne particles – including the very tiny particles that cause lung irritation. And ionizing air purifiers can disable over 99% of virus and bacteria particles
The bottom line
Every house is different. A trained Bonfe technician can assess your home to make tailored recommendations on what indoor air quality products are right for you. We want you to breathe easy!
