4 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

On a hot summer day, you do your best to cool off your home or business.

But what about your indoor air quality—how can you improve the air you breathe?

Turns out, there are plenty of ways, from common sense do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions to affordable equipment upgrades. This is the air you breathe every day, so it definitely matters.

Find a pro at Midwest Air Pros closest to your home in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, or Missouri,

and start mapping out ways to improve your indoor air quality. Our companies provide sustainable solutions, quality products, and flexible financing for all your plumbing, electrical, and HVAC needs.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Between work and home, the majority of us spend nearly 90 percent indoors. These days, we spend even more time indoors out of health concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic. Spending all that time indoors, you naturally want the best possible air you can breathe.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the concentration of indoor pollutants are often 2 to 5 times greater than outdoor levels. Nobody wants to struggle to breathe—especially indoors.

Long-term exposure to indoor air pollution can lead to lung and heart problems. Even after a brief exposure, airborne contaminants can trigger allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. Poor air quality affects everyone, but children and older adults are often the most susceptible. You and your loved ones deserve to breathe clean air.

Here are four ways to get you started on improving your indoor air quality.

1. Improve Your Ventilation

Open those windows and enjoy the breeze. The outdoor air will add a fresh blanket of comfort to your home in Des Moines, Wichita, and other parts of the Midwest.

That is, unless it is too hot or cold outdoors to open a window. Or if someone indoors suffers from allergies, opening the windows invites pollen and other allergens into your home in Springfield or Omaha.

If opening windows is not the right solution for you, consider installing an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). These whole-house systems exhaust the stale indoor air and bring in fresh, preconditioned air from the outdoors. Midwest Air Pros can help you find the right company to find the right ventilation system for you.

2. Seal Your Air Ducts

Whether you live in Omaha or Kansas City, more than likely your HVAC system distributes the conditioned air through air ducts. Tightly sealed ductwork helps your system run more efficiently, while leaky ducks allow air to escape—and pollutants to infiltrate your living spaces.

Schedule an appointment with one of our companies at Midwest Air Pros to inspect your home’s ductwork for possible leaks and tears. Maintaining your ductwork not only improves your air quality but also lowers your energy expenses. The air ducts in your home may be hidden, but they play a vital role in your HVAC system!

3. Upgrade Your Air Conditioner

The central air conditioner in your Missouri home not only cools down every room but also helps to reduce the indoor humidity. It always pays to invest in a quality residential heating and cooling system—doing so creates a more comfortable living environment and adds value to your home.

The lifespan of a typical air conditioning unit is around 15 years. But after a decade of solid use, most AC units tend to wear down. Rather than face the possibility of a costly repair, this may be the best time to replace your air conditioner with a newer model. The higher the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating, the more efficiently your AC runs. An energy-efficient system will have a SEER rating of 14.5 or higher.

4. Schedule a Tune-Up!

Remember to regularly change your HVAC air filters. Most filters need to be changed at least every 90 days—more often if there are pets or someone who smokes in the house. Talk to a pro at Midwest Air Pros about choosing the best filter for your system.

Always schedule annual tune-ups for your furnace and air conditioner. We recommend a tune-up of your AC unit in the spring or early summer, and a fall tune-up for your furnace. These tune-ups and inspections will keep your equipment running at peak capacity for years to come!

Call Your Indoor Air Quality Experts

At Midwest Air Pros, you can find an expert closest to your home in Springfield, MO, Des Moines, IA, Kansas City, MO, Wichita, KS, Omaha, NE, and other parts of the Midwest. Our companies can help you with all your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical needs. Find a pro at Midwest Air Pros to get the job done right!