In one small way, you actually might be better off in an older, draft house vs. one that’s tightly sealed, just like a modern office building.
That’s because air tight buildings typically have little if any fresh air circulation which, in turns, gives indoor air pollutants no means of escaping outdoors. Hence, the now all-too-familiar condition known as “Sick Building Syndrome,” where time spent in a home or building can literally make you sick.
How do you know if you have an indoor air quality problem at home? These are the usual symptoms:
- Frequent headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Chronic achiness
- Inability to concentrate
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in your chest
- Eye and throat irritation
- Blocked or runny nose
- Onset or worsening of allergy and asthma symptoms
Luckily, there are numerous DIY means to improve your home’s indoor air quality. These include allowing no one to smoke indoors, purchasing only formaldehyde-free carpeting, and opening windows or using a fan to vent steam after showering to help prevent mold and mildew from forming. Even taking off your shoes and leaving them at the door can stop the spread of indoor air pollution as we unknowingly bring all kinds of contaminants into our homes on the soles of our footwear.
Certain kinds of house plants can also help clear the air as they thrive on some of the various pollutants that make people sick. As bacteria floats through the air, for example, plants trap them and force them into the soil where they feed on them, thus preventing you from breathing them into your lungs.
House plants particularly effective at providing cleaner indoor air include Boston Firm, Chinese Evergreen Peace Lily Philodendron, and Spider Plant.
If you’re looking for a more far-reaching solution, Optimum Air is ready to respond with a whole-house air filtration system, one installed directly into your ductwork and able to trap more than 99% of all airborne pollutants. To learn more or request a free in-home air quality analysis, contact the home comfort pros at Optimum Air today.