Since March 2020, families across the country have rearranged their lifestyles with safety in mind. In many cases, this meant staying home when you’d usually head out — even for school or work. While you might have enjoyed the break from your commute, all that time indoors with the HVAC system may have negatively affected your home’s air quality. Here’s a closer look at the impact on your environment and how to improve it.

How Does Time at Home Affect Air Quality?

Since COVID-19 is an airborne virus, you might have avoided opening and closing exterior doors and chosen AC over open windows. However, circulation and ventilation are essential to indoor air quality. The many fabrics within your house — from the upholstered couch to the carpet — release harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds over time. Leaving doors and windows closed allows these fumes to build up, contaminating your breathing supply. 

In addition, many Americans started cooking at home more instead of going out or ordering in. When you heat items on the stove or in the oven, they can release fine particles into the air. Also, while bleach, alcohol, ammonia, and other chemicals might protect your family from COVID-19, these products can emit fine particles, irritating the respiratory system. 

How You Can Enhance Indoor Air Quality

To improve the quality of your indoor air, focus on enhancing your home’s ventilation. Open the windows every few days to eliminate stale air, and keep the exhaust fan on whenever you cook on the stove. 

In the bathroom, use the overhead fan to clear out water vapors and cleaning supply particles. Instead of using harsh chemicals like bleach, opt for more gentle, all-natural products that won’t harm your respiratory system, like baking soda and vinegar. 

It’s also important to change or clean out the air filters in your HVAC system at least once every three months. However, monthly changes may be necessary if you have family members with allergies or pets. If you still feel like your indoor air could be improved, add an air purifier to the system to filter out fine particles.

If you need to improve your indoor air quality, CKP Heating & Cooling is happy to help. Serving Canton, OH, and the surrounding areas, they install top-tier AC and furnace systems and offer 24-hour repairs. They will help you choose an energy-efficient HVAC system that will help you save money in the long run, and they offer free estimates on new equipment. To learn more about their offerings, visit them online. Call (330) 791-3029 to speak with a friendly team member about your needs.