3 Ways You Can Improve Your Indoor Air Quality During Your Next Home Remodel
One of the times that your home is most at risk for indoor air pollution is during a home renovation. This is especially true if you are living in the home while it is being renovated, as a lot of dust is often produced as well as mold spores, ammonia from pet urea and fibers from old glass insulation.
Fortunately, there are three main ways that you can protect yourself from these allergens and particulates so that you can live your daily life as normal, while maintaining good air quality.
1. Deal With Paints, Varnishes, and Solvents Properly
Fumes from paint, glue, and solvents might have to be tolerated for a few days, and often there is not much you can do but wear filtered masks and wait for them to dissipate if you cannot leave the home for a day or two.
If strong solvents and varnishes are used, as is the case when a floor is being stripped and varnished, it is a good idea to make sure that workers seal the doors to the room but open the windows to the outside.
Fans can also be turned on to help blow the fumes out of the room. During this type of it is also crucial to keep your HVAC system off so that the fumes are not sucked up through the fans and vents and blown through your home.
2. Avoid Raising The Dust
Whether you are doing the renovations yourself or using contractors, you should be aware of low-dust work practices.
No matter what you do, ripping up walls or floors is bound to raise some dust, but you can reduce the amount that flies into the air by lightly misting the areas to be torn up with water.
Misting areas that are to be sanded or scraped also helps to prevent dust from flying through the air as does covering areas that are being worked on with sheet plastic.
3. Change Your Air Filters Frequently
One of the best ways to prevent dust, fumes, and toxins from being circulated through your home during a period of renovation is to keep the fan on your HVAC system off while the work is being done.
This prevents the work dust from being picked up and spread through your home through your vents. When you do turn the HVAC system on, your air filters are less likely to be clogged quickly.
You should also consider changing your air filters more frequently during renovations, to keep your system in good working order.
During other times, when life has returned to normal, you will also find that keeping clear air filters in your HVAC system helps lower your energy bills as well maintained systems tend to work more efficiently.
Consider Upgrading or Installing A New HVAC System Too
If you are going to renovate, it might also be a good idea to install a new HVAC system, especially if you know that the current system it is a much older unit and that simply replacing the air filters is not doing enough to provide you with fresh heating or cooled air. It is also important to note that air pollution levels, in general, have risen all over the world along with heat temperatures.
The need to keep the air conditioning on high in the summer has increased exponentially for many residents of the United States, including those in Colonia Heights, VA. One of the best things you can do for your daily health and comfort is to make sure that you change your air filters frequently and have your HVAC system inspected on a regular basis.
