Breathe Easy: Six Practical Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality this Winter

Each quarter, Amanda Rogers of Rogers Neighborhood Realty provides us with tips to keep our homes at their very best.

Each quarter our team brings you seasonal home maintenance tips. Maintaining your home is important, but taking care of your health is even more important. You are not replaceable. Indoor air quality is a critical aspect of our overall well-being.

Poor indoor air quality can lead to various health issues including respiratory problems, allergies, fatigue, and even cancer. Most Michiganders spend increasingly more time indoors in the winter, so now is a great time to assess your indoor air quality.

Try these six practical ways to improve your indoor air quality:

1. Proper Ventilation

In the late 90s/early 2000s it became popular for builders to insulate and seal homes a little too well. Homeowners are often seeking reduced energy costs, but an airtight environment can also lead to high humidity and poor indoor air quality. Open your windows as weather allows, fresh air does wonders! Do a quick assessment on these features in your home to ensure proper ventilation:

• Do your bathroom fans vent outside and not just into your attic?
• Does your dryer vent outside?
• Are there vents in your attic to avoid moisture build-up?

2. Introduce House Plants

Certain plants can act as natural air purifiers by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. Spider plants, snake plants, and peace lilies are among the many options known for their air-purifying capabilities.

3. Invest in an Air Purifier and a Dehumidifier

Mold loves moisture! Keep the humidity level in your home between 30-50%.

4. Regularly Maintain your HVAC System

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system play a crucial role in indoor air quality. Change air filters regularly, and schedule professional HVAC maintenance to ensure the system operates efficiently and circulates clean air throughout your home.

5. Monitor Radon Levels

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless- making it dangerous and undetectable to our senses. Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking. Radon levels fluctuate during the year, but are typically highest in winter and spring when snow and rainwater keep radon blanketed underground.

Ask us for recommendations on a home inspection company or do-it-yourself radon test. You should have your home tested for radon if….

• You notice other homes in your neighborhood have mitigation systems. Radon pumps have a white pipe with a bubble that looks like this.
• You live in an area with loose, sandy soil. Or if you live near a large river/lake. Radon can be trapped in groundwater and make levels higher.
• You have bedrooms or living space in your basement.

6. Limit Toxic Products and VOCs

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are a group of organic chemicals that can easily evaporate into the air at room temperature. “Volatile” means that these compounds can readily become vapors or gases and be breathed in. Exposure to high levels of VOCs can have short-term and long-term health effects.

Short-term exposure may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Long-term exposure to certain VOCs has been associated with more serious health effects, including damage to the liver, kidneys, and the central nervous system.

When shopping for air fresheners, household cleaners, and candles; look for products that are “VOC free” or “Low VOC.” Open the windows if you’re cleaning with heavy products and clean with simple vinegar/water solutions when you can.

Improving indoor air quality is a proactive step toward creating a healthier living space. By incorporating these strategies into your routine, you can reduce the presence of pollutants and allergens- promoting better respiratory health and overall well-being for you and your family. Prioritize the air you breathe, and let your home become a sanctuary of clean, refreshing air.

We love to talk about all things “house related,” so please reach out if you have a home maintenance question or need a referral for a great local professional. We know inspectors, contractors, HVAC companies, and more!

Amanda Rogers is the Broker/Owner of Rogers Neighborhood Realty. Amanda and the rest of the agents in the office are professional, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable about buying and selling houses and property in the Lowell community. For more information, visit their website, Facebook page, or Instagram page.