Indoor air quality (IAQ) is important for everyone’s health, but when it comes to the older members of your family, it’s even more so. This is especially true for those who have to spend most of their time indoors due to health or mobility issues. Let’s look at some of the best ways to improve indoor air quality for your elderly family members in Ocala, FL.
Choose a Good Quality Filter
Studies have proven that poor IAQ exacerbates depression, insomnia, decreased mental function and more. A high-quality air filter will remove the majority of pollutants from the air in your home. Talk to a reputable HVAC company technician and ask for recommendations for the best air filter for your system.
Invest in an Air Purifier
Your HVAC air filter can’t catch everything (like volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, given off by many things around your home), air purifiers can help. An air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter can remove as much as 99.7% of unhealthy air particles circulating throughout your home, greatly reducing health risks to your elderly family members.
Pay Attention to Humidity Levels
Living in an area where the climate is naturally dry means lower humidity levels. This also affects the air inside your home, causing it to be too dry, which is a leading cause of respiratory issues in elderly individuals. Based on information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the ideal humidity level inside your home is 30% to 50%.
Upgrade Your Home’s Air Conditioner
If your home has an older model air conditioner, then upgrading to a newer, more efficient model will improve humidity levels and be more effective at filtering the air. This means fewer IAQ-related health risks for the older members of your family. For seniors who experience heat sensitivity or respiratory issues like asthma cooler, cleaner air makes a significant difference.
Decorate Your Home With Plants
Certain plants naturally remove harmful pollutants from the air and improve IAQ. Do some research, choose your favorite ones that are effective at cleaning the air and place them all around your home. There are a number of plants that require very little maintenance — just remember to water them regularly to keep them healthy and thriving, and they’ll do the same for your family members!
Do Away With Dangerous Chemicals
The majority of cleaning products, air fresheners and laundry products you use in your home contain chemicals that are harmful once they’re released into the air. They are responsible for everything from skin irritation issues to headaches to breathing problems. Avoid these and other health problems by opening windows and doors to increase ventilation when cleaning, turning on fans, or choosing natural products made with safe, organic ingredients.
Keep Your Home Clean
Be sure to dust furniture and vacuum floors and drapes regularly to remove as much dust and debris from your home as possible. Allergens hide in these places and become airborne with even the slightest breeze. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate throughout your home and carry away stale, unhealthy air to protect the older members of your household from exposure to potential health hazards.
Have Indoor Air Tested
Carbon monoxide and radon are two gases that are capable of causing extremely serious health problems for everyone in your home, particularly seniors. Both are invisible and odorless, with carbon monoxide resulting from the combustion of gas appliances, so detectors and testing kits are available to discover their presence. Contact a professional HVAC company to find out about having your indoor air tested for these two dangerous home invaders.
Senica Is Here to Help
When it comes to the most senior members of your family, we certainly understand your commitment to looking out for their safety and well-being. Don’t hesitate to contact us at Senica Air Conditioning, Inc. for all your heating and air conditioning needs.
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