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IAQ in Washington, MO IAQ in Washington, MO

What You Should Know About Indoor Air Quality Testing

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Indoor Air Quality. No Comments on What You Should Know About Indoor Air Quality Testing

The quality of your indoor air is extremely important. Since we spend a lot of our time indoors, it’s important to keep your indoor air as clean and pure as possible. If you’re dealing with poor indoor air quality (IAQ), this can lead to chronic inflammation, headaches, fatigue, allergy symptoms, and respiratory problems. Luckily, our team can provide professional indoor air quality testing to our clients in the Washington, MO, area. Let’s look at what you need to know about indoor air quality testing and the importance of indoor air quality.

Common Indoor Pollutants

It’s common for a home to experience several different types of particulate matter circulating through its air. This can include things like pet dander, pollen, mold spores, dust, and volatile organic compounds. The concentrations of these contaminants can vary depending on the source, how frequently you’re running your HVAC system, whether you have whole-house filtration installed, etc. The exchange of air between the inside of your home and the outdoors will also play a role in your indoor air quality.

There are some changes you can make in your home that can cut back on the number of particulates in your air. This includes selecting healthier cleaning products and building materials that don’t emit high levels of chemicals. Cleaning more frequently can reduce the amount of pet dander and fur in your home. Utilizing filtration can help circulate cleaner and healthier air throughout your home.

The Process of Testing Your Indoor Air

When you have your indoor air tested by an experienced professional, several samples will be taken. This usually includes both air samples and surface samples. These samples will be tested to see what kind of contaminants are present in your home. It’s common to experience some level of contaminants in your indoor environment, but you want to keep concentrations as low as possible.

The Potential for Improvements

If it is determined by indoor air quality testing that you have a high level of contaminants in your home, there are steps you can take to remedy the situation. For example, we can install a whole-house purification system on your HVAC system. All the air that passes through your system, through your ductwork, and into your home will be filtered to remove several different contaminants. The amount that is removed will depend on the type of equipment you have and the kind of filters being used. For example, a high-efficiency particulate air filter, or HEPA for short, can remove as much as 99.97% of particulate matter in your home. Activated carbon filters can improve the overall smell of your home and remove volatile organic compounds from your indoor air.

You should make sure that you are changing the filter in your furnace routinely. Usually, this should occur once every 30 to 90 days. Frequency depends on the type of filter you’re using. Pleated filters that have a high MERV rating, or minimum efficiency reporting value, usually last longer than a standard fiberglass filter. If your filter becomes clogged with debris, this can result in your indoor air experiencing a higher concentration of particulate matter. You can also strain your HVAC system this way, leading to more frequent heater and AC repairs and a shortened system lifespan.

Paying Attention to Humidity

Many homeowners neglect to pay attention to the level of relative humidity in their homes. Ideally, RH should always remain between 30% and 50%. High levels of humidity can be brought back down to a healthy level using a whole-house dehumidifier. Low levels of humidity can be addressed by adding moisture back into the air using a whole-house humidifier. High levels of humidity can result in more contaminants being held in the air and circulating. Low levels of humidity can irritate your sinuses and airways, allowing contaminants to cause more irritation.

Increasing Home Ventilation

While it’s very energy efficient to maintain a tight home envelope, this doesn’t always benefit your indoor air quality. We recommend using exhaust fans in areas of the home like bathrooms and the kitchen to remove humid air and air with high concentrations of particulate matter. If you don’t already have these fans installed, we can install them for you. You may also benefit from increased ventilation in areas like your attic or basement.

Maintaining a Clean Home

Routinely cleaning your home can cut back on things like dust, dust mites, and pet dander. You should wipe down surfaces every few days and clean the floors. If you have carpet, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove pet messes. Hardwood floors and other hard surfaces can be cleaned with a dry mop or microfiber cloth.

Also, periodically change your bedding and wash your sheets in hot water. This will remove particulates while also killing any dust mites that may be present. Many homeowners choose to keep their pets out of the bedroom to maintain a healthy environment in that space.

Radon Testing Needs

Radon is a radioactive gas that can seep into your home through your basement’s foundation. Not all areas are prone to radon, and not all homes will experience high radon concentrations even if it is present in the soil. Testing your home for radon is important. If you are exposed to radon over an extended period, this can increase your risk of developing lung cancer and other health issues. If it is determined that radon is present in your indoor air, there are different ventilation systems that can be installed in your basement to remove the radon so you can breathe easier and safely.

The Importance of Ongoing Testing

While your initial indoor air quality test can provide you with a baseline for the state of your IAQ, you’ll want to schedule future tests as well. This can provide you with information on whether your efforts to improve your IAQ have been effective. There may also be new contaminants that are affecting your indoor air quality that you weren’t experiencing the first time you had testing performed. There may be the need for certain changes to ventilation or filtration as time goes on and your home environment shifts.

Some smart thermostats provide you with the ability to monitor your indoor air quality for several contaminants both at home and remotely. This can be a useful tool to use in between professional testing.

If you are interested in having an indoor air quality test performed in your Washington home, reach out to our team here at Level 9 Heating & Cooling. In addition to testing your indoor air, we can also provide recommendations for how you can make improvements. We install whole-house filtration equipment as well as whole-house dehumidifiers and humidifiers. Our services also include the installation, maintenance, and repair of various types of heating and cooling equipment. We also offer commercial HVAC services and plumbing assistance.

Contact Level 9 Heating & Cooling to schedule an appointment for indoor air quality testing in the Washington area today.

Indoor air quality in Washington, MO Indoor air quality in Washington, MO

Indoor Plants That Will Improve The Air In Your Home

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Indoor Air Quality. No Comments on Indoor Plants That Will Improve The Air In Your Home

The air quality inside your Des Peres home is important. It can have a major effect on the health and well-being of everyone in your household. Maintaining high energy efficiency inside your home is also important. As a result, unfortunately, your home is likely insulated and air-sealed to the greatest extent possible. That means you likely get less ventilation, and the air inside your home can grow stale and contaminated. One of the ways to mitigate that is to add an array of beneficial indoor plants to your home. According to research, there are a variety of plants that excel at removing an array of household air contaminants. While they won’t fix every indoor air quality problem, they will likely be able to help. Here are ten of the best indoor plants you can get to improve your home’s indoor air quality.

1. English Ivy

English ivy plants make an excellent addition to your home that will cleanse its air and a bit of classic beauty. They grow in long, trailing vines and work well when placed on shelves or bookcases. In laboratory studies, English ivy plants demonstrated an ability to reduce the levels of chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene in the air. Those are all commonly found in homes as a result of off-gassing from paper products, inks, and household cleaners. Plus, English ivy plants thrive in indirect sunlight, so you can put them almost anywhere in your home.

2. Peace Lilies

Peace lilies are among the most effective plants you can get if you want to improve your indoor air quality. In studies conducted by NASA, peace lily plants excelled at removing trichloroethylene from the air. In a sealed-chamber test, it removed about 1.04% of the substance per hour from the surrounding air. It’s also another plant that will tolerate a variety of lighting conditions. However, it does like its soil to stay moist, so it requires frequent watering.

3. Snake Plants

Snake plants are another effective air cleaner you can add to your home. They work especially well in bedrooms since they tend to absorb CO2 and emit oxygen primarily at night. This means they can help improve your sleep quality while they improve your air quality. They’re also very simple to care for, requiring only infrequent watering and indirect sunlight. They also grow quite tall, so they will stand out as a part of your home’s décor.

4. Golden Pothos

The Golden Pothos plant is best known for its long, trailing vines and broad leaves. It’s also all but impossible to kill, which is why it’s also called the Devil’s Ivy plant. It excels at removing substances like carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde from the air. The Golden Pothos grows fast and requires little in the way of care. For that reason, it makes a great option for those who typically don’t have success with houseplants. You can put it virtually anywhere, and it will be just fine, even if you forget to water it occasionally.

5. Bamboo Palm

The bamboo palm is perfect for improving indoor air quality while adding a bit of tropical flair to your home. Plus, it works well as a floor-standing plant, growing up to eight feet tall with proper care. It’s also perfect for dimly-lit corners of your home since it requires very little sunlight. In exchange, you’ll get a plant that removes substances like benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air. All you need to do is water it periodically whenever its soil surface gets dry.

6. Chinese Evergreen

Also known as aglaonema, the Chinese evergreen is an easy-to-care-for plant that grows to about two feet tall. It features bright, broad leaves, and it can cut the levels of formaldehyde and benzene in the air. Plus, it’s considered a lucky plant throughout Asia, so it certainly can’t hurt to have a few in your home. It works well in low to medium light conditions, so it will work well in shadowy spots in your home.

7. Corn Plants

Although they’re not the edible variety, corn plants make an excellent addition to your air quality arsenal. For one thing, they’re virtually indestructible. They will thrive in any lighting condition and require very little upkeep. They’re also effective at removing a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. While they do grow slowly, they can also reach a height of up to six feet if you’re willing to wait. That makes them an excellent option for the corners of rooms or as a focal point near a sliding glass door.

8. Rubber Plant

Rubber plants offer an excellent option for those who like darker-colored foliage. They can grow up to ten feet tall when grown indoors and feature lush, dark leaves. Rubber plants also excel at removing carbon monoxide, benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air. You can expect one to grow approximately two feet per growing season. That means it doesn’t take long for one to reach its full height if you’re willing to invest some time.

9. Flamingo Lily

If you want an air-cleaning plant with bright, colorful flowers, the flamingo lily is for you. It boasts bright red flowers and broad, shiny green leaves. That means it works just as well as an addition to your décor as it does as an air purifier. Plus, the flamingo lily removes some substances that most other plants don’t. It will remove xylene, toluene, and ammonium, which are commonly found in paints and household products. It will require frequent watering and plenty of bright light, however, limiting where you can keep one.

10. Spider Plant

Finally, spider plants are one of the most versatile air-cleaning plants you can have in your home. It requires very little maintenance and readily removes carbon monoxide and VOCs from the air. Plus, it propagates easily. That means you can buy just one and split it into multiple plants soon after. If you’re looking for a way to scale up your home’s greenery in a hurry, a spider plant is an excellent choice. They also only need watering roughly once per week, so they’re quite easy to care for.

Your Local Indoor Air Quality Specialists

If you’re concerned about the indoor air quality in your Des Peres home, Level 9 Heating & Cooling can help. We offer complete indoor air quality solutions, as well as comprehensive HVAC services. We even handle residential plumbing and commercial HVAC, too. We’ve served the local community since 1975, establishing a reputation for quality service in that time. We’re also Better Business Bureau accredited with an A+ rating. Plus, we offer 24/7 emergency service, so you can always count on us to be there for you. We even offer financing options on approved credit to help you pay for larger comfort improvements. So, for indoor air quality solutions and more in Des Peres, call Level 9 Heating & Cooling today!

6 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home During Winter 6 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home During Winter

6 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home During Winter

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Indoor Air Quality. No Comments on 6 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home During Winter

During the winter, indoor air quality can decrease substantially. When a house is closed all day and the heat is running more frequently, dust, dirt, and particles accumulate and can impact the breathability of the air.

Discover more about these six ways to improve the IAQ in your home this winter.

1. Replace Air Filters

According to the American Lung Association, indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than the air outside. During the winter, you may also focus on keeping windows and doors airtight, which means you breathe more recirculated air with higher levels of particles.

These wintertime conditions place a strain on HVAC filters. The main job of air filters is to decrease the amount of dust, pollen, and other particles circulating in your home, but with a sealed-up home, they have to work harder to provide comfortable conditions. Replacing air filters regularly is one way to confront this situation. Changing them out about every three months will help your heating system keep up with the higher levels of indoor allergens and contaminants.

Poor indoor air quality during the winter is known to aggravate asthma sufferers and can cause respiratory problems. You may also want to consider upgrading your filters. When you arrange for an HVAC maintenance appointment, you can consult with a service professional about changing to filters with a higher filtration rating. Higher-quality air filters can capture mold and other harmful particles more effectively and reduce the possibility of allergic reactions or other health issues.

Changing your HVAC filters can create cleaner indoor air conditions, along with other measures you can take during the winter.

2. Opening Your Windows

Even though it is cold outside, another option to help improve indoor air quality is to crack open the windows during the day. Bringing in outside air when the sun is shining, or during the warmest part of the day, can help refresh the inside air and provide a chance to change the level of recirculated air.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emphasizes how improved ventilation with outdoor air circulating into the home plays a major role in reducing indoor air pollutants. Most HVAC systems do not bring fresh air into a home, so the EPA recommends opening windows and doors, as well as running fans, to help deliver much-needed outside air into a closed winter home environment.

3. Controlling Humidity

Monitoring your home’s humidity levels is another option that can help with air quality. Keeping the humidity level between 30% to 50% will help keep home conditions comfortable while preventing mold and mildew growth. To achieve this goal, make sure to run exhaust fans during and after showers and when cooking on the stove. You can also turn on fans to circulate air and clear out humidity. Wintertime typically brings about air that’s too dry, which signals a lack of humidity. If you notice the warning signs of excessively dry air in your home, consider investing in a humidifier to help maintain optimal levels. Turn to our whole home humidifier solutions!

4. Air Purifiers with HEPA Filters

Using air purifiers in the winter provides another way to boost indoor air quality. High-quality air purifiers with HEPA filters are designed to remove allergens and pollutants in the air. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters remove over 99% of mold, dust, pollen, bacteria, and other particles that lower indoor air quality. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can also capture microorganisms that are 0.3 micrometers small.

Air purifiers are particularly important to improving winter indoor air quality if you or a member of your household suffers from allergies. Air purifiers should be placed in commonly used areas of the house and bedrooms to trap irritating particles that can trigger symptoms. Some air purifiers come with sensors that can detect the level of allergens and pollutants in the air and adjust the fan speed to higher and lower levels. They also shut off when the air quality reaches a clean state.

The Aerus Hydroxyl Blaster Air Purifier uses ActivePure Technology to not only remove dust and allergens but also reduce the spread of COVID-19. This surface and air purifier uses oxidizers to prevent viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Investing in a high-quality air purifier like this one can help protect your home from illnesses and allergies.

5. Cleaning the House, Vents, and Air Ducts

Regular cleaning is even more important than usual during the winter. As described above, wintertime indoor conditions bring more mold, dust mites, and particles. Dusting and vacuuming every week is a good way to help remove them from your household. Likewise, removing clutter and items that should be stored outside like paints and chemicals will help provide a healthier indoor environment free of contaminants.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are found in cleaning supplies and other chemical products. Placing them outside or in the garage will help remove VOCs from your home. VOCs can make the air hard to breathe and cause respiratory issues. Using a mask when cleaning in the winter is also a good idea to keep from potentially inhaling these harmful particles.

To help get cleaner air, you can also check your HVAC supply and return vents for any blockages and clean them with a vacuum. Along with air filters, clean vents help improve airflow quality. Too much dust or dirt buildup can contribute to unhealthy and uncomfortable conditions.
You should also determine if anything is blocking these vents and stopping indoor air from circulating normally.

In addition, dirt and debris can accumulate in your HVAC ductwork. Arranging to have your air ducts cleaned by a professional can also help lessen the pollutants and particles that lower air quality in the winter.

6. Regular HVAC Maintenance

Regularly scheduling maintenance for your HVAC system is another way to improve air quality in your home this winter. Preventive maintenance ensures that your heating and air conditioning are working efficiently and do not have excessive buildup of particles and debris. Service appointments can also determine if any of the parts in your system are worn down and need to be replaced.

You could also arrange for an air quality test to evaluate your indoor conditions and make sure that harmful carbon monoxide or radon gases are not present. Carbon monoxide is released when gas furnaces are used and is usually sent through exhaust pipes to the outside. Radon is a gas that can enter a house through the foundation. Both are hazardous to your health and should be removed.

Annual or biannual maintenance will help keep your HVAC in top shape, extend its life, lower your energy costs, and help you obtain better air quality in the winter and all year.

Quality HVAC Services

Please contact us at Level 9 Heating & Cooling for more information about improving indoor air quality. We provide quality heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and air filtration services to Washington and St. Louis, MO, and surrounding areas. We are a trustworthy team of professionals who provide exceptional service for all your HVAC needs. Call us today!

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