For more than a year now, everyone from office and health care workers to school-age children has been focused on preventing the spread of Covid 19. The pandemic changed everything about the way we work and learn, with families setting up home offices and classrooms in basements and spare bedrooms. Staying healthy meant keeping surfaces and air clean in the spaces we occupied most often.
In the last few weeks, with vaccines more readily available and the spread of the virus lessening, workers are returning to offices and children to their classrooms. Warm weather also has returned, meaning more time outdoors and open windows, but don’t let your guard down.
Indoor air quality in Northeast Ohio homes and offices is still extremely important, especially with patrons returning to restaurants and entertainment venues and air conditioners keeping things cool during hot summer months.
The fact is, the air inside today’s homes and offices can be even more polluted than the air outside either because of poor ventilation or the effort to prevent escape of heat and air conditioning by insulating. Less exchange of air from inside to outside means pollutants can build up inside your home or office.
What can you do?
Indoor air pollution can lead to illnesses, asthma, and chronic allergies, but much of what pollutes our air is caused by human behavior. Take the following steps to reduce indoor air pollution in all seasons.
- Don’t smoke or use harsh chemicals inside.
- Skip the carpeting in high traffic areas.
- Dust and vacuum frequently.
- Always use exhaust fans when cooking and in bathrooms.
- Test for radon and always use carbon monoxide detectors.
- Limit the use of air fresheners and scented candles.
- Change furnace and exhaust fan filters regularly.
- Keep humidity levels comfortable all year by using a dehumidifier or air conditioner as needed.
Modern construction and today’s health concerns have placed indoor air quality in Cleveland and the surrounding area at the forefront for most families. At Lew’s Reliable, we offer guidance and top-of-the-line products to help you keep your family healthy.
- Air cleaners – Tabletop air cleaners can be effective in isolated areas. Ultraviolet light cleaners retrofitted to ducts in your home are better for destroying germs and viruses in all parts of your home.
- Ventilation – Whenever possible, open windows and let fresh air circulate through your home. When the weather does not permit open windows, a whole-house mechanical ventilation system will significantly reduce pollutants in your home.
- Humidifiers – Not enough moisture can be as bad as too much. A whole-house humidifier that works with your HVAC system can help keep moisture levels at an optimum level in every room from the basement to attic.
- Carbon monoxide – This deadly, odorless gas can be released from a poorly operating furnace, your fireplace, and every gas-powered appliance in your home. A reliable carbon monoxide detector is a must to keep your family safe.
If you have questions about the air quality in your home or how you can ensure that pollutants are kept at a minimum, contact the experts at Lew’s Reliable.
