How To Improve Your Indoor Air During The Summer

Most New Englanders spend the majority of their time indoors in the air conditioning during the summer, especially when there are long stretches of intense dry heat with little to no rain. But this can pose comfort and health issues over time. Here’s what to know about your home’s summer air quality and what you can do to improve it, plus how to get in touch with a qualified HVAC professional for help.

Clean Your Floors More Frequently 

You might be surprised to hear that your floors have anything to do with your air, but they do. Dust, debris, pet hair, and everything else in your air falls to the floor and accumulates, which over time can have a negative impact on your indoor air quality. Try to sweep your floors daily and mop at least weekly. You can use a steam mop to kill germs and bacteria, but a traditional mop with hot soapy water or even a Swiffer style mopping pad will still work.

Ventilate Your Home At The Right Times 

Ventilating your home during the summer is a double-edged sword. It’s important to exchange the stale air inside your home for fresh air as often as you can, but if you do it at the wrong times, you could be adding to the problem. Make sure to open your windows early in the morning when summer pollen counts are the lowest. This is because the pollen is still damp from the morning dew and sticks to the leaves and grass. But as the sun rises and dries out the pollen, the wind will pick it up and start circulating it throughout the air.  You should avoid opening your windows in the afternoon or when it’s very windy out to prevent pollen from being blown inside your home where it can accumulate and trigger your allergies. Address Mold & Mildew Issues Mold and mildew are common on the East coast due to the salty sea air that permeates homes and commercial buildings. Keep an eye on your bathroom, laundry room, basement, closets, and other areas that are likely to be dark and damp to catch mold and mildew early before it has a chance to develop. Contrary to popular belief, bleach isn’t the best solution for killing mold spores. Chlorine only bleaches mold and mildew so you can’t see it anymore – it’s still there, growing and permeating your air. Instead, use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on a damp cloth and give the area a good scrub. You can also take preventative measures like putting alcohol or peroxide in a spray bottle to occasionally spray areas that are prone to mold. This can help keep mildew at bay by eliminating the opportunity for it to spread.

Control Your Indoor Humidity 

Your indoor humidity is an important component of your air quality. If your air is too dry, especially during the winter, this can be more than just uncomfortable – it can lead to dry skin, cracked lips, and even contribute to dehydration. Air that is too humid feels hot and sticky and puts your home at risk of developing mold or mildew. Plus, high indoor humidity can cause changes in your breathing, heart rate, and blood circulation, which can potentially be serious if you have chronic health conditions. It can also damage your property and cause wallpaper, paint, or flooring to start peeling up. You can add moisture to dry air with a humidifier or remove it with a dehumidifier. Many models of ductless air conditioners also have a “dry mode,” which also works to reduce humidity in your home. Depending on your house, its location, and other factors, you may need to add or remove humidity at different times to maintain your home comfort and integrity. For example, you may need to run a dehumidifier in your basement all year if it tends to get dark and damp, or if there’s a musty smell. You may also need to have dehumidifiers upstairs in the summer if you live by the coast. In the winter, you may only need to run a humidifier upstairs when the air is very dry, usually due to indoor heating stripping moisture from the air.

How New England Ductless Can Help You Get Cleaner, Healthier Indoor Air Year-Round

Don’t just settle for healthy air in the summer – New England Ductless can help you get cleaner, more comfortable indoor air all year round. Contact us today to learn more about your options or to book a time for our team of veteran contractors to come to your home for an assessment and price quote. Call now by dialing 781-995-2665 or reach out by filling out our quick contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.