When designing your baby's nursery, you might pick out the safest crib model and purchase locally sourced, non-toxic toys to ensure your child's health. However, consider what you can't see in the nursery: the air quality. Breathing in high-quality purified air can set your baby up for improved respiratory health and more. Here are a few ways to improve the quality of the air in your new baby's nursery and how to know when an AC replacement can help.

How Can You Improve Your Nursery's Air Quality?

1. Test the Air 

There are now products on the market that use laser technology to measure the particles in a home's air. Once you know the starting point of the air quality in your nursery, you can continue to test and monitor it while taking the necessary steps to improve the air your baby will breathe.

2. Skip the Carpet

Carpet houses allergens like dust, dander, pollen, and mold, which decrease the air quality in a room. Consider wood or laminate for your nursery floor, with rugs that can be washed occasionally for added decoration and comfort. If you're in a situation where you aren't able to remove the existing carpeting in your nursery, commit to regular professional cleaning for allergen removal.

3. Choose Good Paint

Search for paints that are labeled no or low VOC before you settle on your final choice. A VOC is a volatile organic compound. These compounds can be emitted from standard paints for months or even years after painting and may cause respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in sensitive individuals. Unless your child proves extra sensitive, there shouldn't be a need to repaint the whole house interior; but since the nursery is where the baby sleeps and spends longer periods of time, VOC-free paint in this room will be healthier for their respiratory system in the long run.

4. Consider an AC Replacement

If your nursery includes a window unit that is more than a few years old, it is best to start over with an AC replacement. These units can fill with mold over time, which is then dispersed into the air. If you cool your home with central air, be sure to change all filters and schedule a full HVAC system cleaning.

5. Use a Portable Air Purifier

A high-quality air purifier placed in your baby's nursery can remove more than 99% of ultrafine particles in the air. Ultrafine particles are the easiest to inhale. Look for purifiers that use HEPA or HyperHEPA filtration technology for optimal particle removal.

If you're ready to upgrade your air conditioning unit, come to Air Conditioning Unlimited in Pearl City, HI. This qualified HVAC contractor has been bringing clean, cool, refreshing air to homes on the island of Oahu for almost 20 years. Let these seasoned experts help you start fresh with a new cooling system. Visit their website or call (808) 455-3128 for more information.