1. Check for Sources of Contamination
The first step to improving air quality in your home is determining what the biggest sources of contamination are. Common sources of air contamination in apartments include:
Mold and mildew — If you have a history of allergies or respiratory problems, mold, and mildew may pose a serious threat. The best way to prevent mold and mildew from developing in your apartment is by reducing humidity.
Pollen — If you or anyone else in your household suffers from seasonal allergies, pollen may be another source of air contamination. Fortunately, pollen is easy to detect once it becomes airborne.
2. Install a fan coil unit
A fan coil unit is an air conditioning system that works by taking fresh outdoor air and blowing it over a heat exchanger. This allows you to take advantage of cool, clean outside air without actually having to go outside. There are many benefits of installing a fan coil retrofit and your long-term health. The air then passes through the indoor evaporator coil, where it gets cooled even more before getting blown into your home or apartment.
3. Clean filters regularly
Installing a fan coil unit will help improve the quality of your apartment’s air, but only if you regularly change the filters. Some units include electronic filters, which don’t need to be replaced as often as traditional fiberglass filters, but they still require maintenance in order to function properly. To increase efficiency and reduce energy bills, change your filter every 3 months. Your local HVAC professional can tell you exactly when it’s time to replace your filters.
4. Control humidity
Humidity is a major contributor to poor air quality in any home or apartment. Humidity can cause mold and mildew to develop, which can cause respiratory problems. It also increases the likelihood of condensation, which leads to the formation of black mold. Too much humidity can also lead to a buildup of dust mites, one of the leading causes of asthma attacks for people living in apartments.
5. Keep windows closed
Windows are another source of air contamination because they let outside air into your apartment. Although you may enjoy breezy open windows on a nice day, opening windows allows contaminants from cars, factories, construction sites, and more into your home or apartment. While not as harmful as pollen or mold spores, pollutants from traffic, construction sites, and factories can still aggravate allergies.
6. Ventilate your apartment
One of the best ways to improve air quality in an apartment is through ventilation. Make sure that you open windows when it’s cool outside, like early morning or late evening, to allow fresh air into your apartment. Leaving the windows open for 10 minutes each day will help clear out excess humidity, dust mites, and other contaminants.
If you make a point to improve the air quality in your apartment, you’ll find that you spend less time worrying about allergies and respiratory problems. Additionally, you’ll notice an improvement in the overall temperature and freshness of your apartment.
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