On average, 90% of individuals spend a lot of their time indoors, and the concentration of air pollutants inside buildings is higher than outdoors. In particular, apartments and condos present serious challenges, especially when it comes to offering proper ventilation to increasing indoor air quality. That’s because the stack and wind effect in high-rise buildings usually renders mechanical ventilation plans useless, particularly for the lower sections of the buildings.
With great exposure to allergens and air pollutants, you should take the necessary steps to enhance the quality of the indoor air as much as you can. If you live in an apartment or a condominium, here are some simple tips you can implement in your routine to improve the quality of your indoor air.
1. Cleaning Regularly With Non-Toxic Cleaning Solutions
Keeping your condo or apartment clean with non-toxic products is one of the best ways to enhance indoor air quality. Cleaning your unit on a regular basis helps prevent the accumulation of dirt, debris, dust, and other particles that lower the air quality in your apartment. It also deters the growth of mildew and mold. Most of the common household cleaning materials are made using pesticides and many other toxins that can decrease the air quality of your condo.
Exposing you and your loved ones to these toxins can lead to allergies and many other health issues. However, there are numerous safe and non-toxic products on the market and home-made options that you can use for different cleaning tasks in your apartment.
For instance, many people clean using glycol- and ammonia-based solutions because they are quite effective at masking odors. A mixture of water and vinegar is another excellent alternative that you can use to clean hard surfaces. These products are not toxic, are equally effective, and will improve your apartment’s air quality.
2. Ventilating Your Apartment
Ventilation is another easy way to improve your condo’s air quality. In buildings with limited square footage such as condos and apartments, air doesn’t circulate a lot. That can lower your air quality in the long run because allergens, dirt, dust, and other airborne pollutants might buildup in the still air with time.
With proper ventilation in your condo, indoor air will easily exit and get replaced by fresh and clean air from outdoors. The easiest and best way to ventilate your apartment is by opening any windows or doors. That will allow air to keep circulating and help deter the accumulation of harmful air pollutants, which will improve the air quality in your apartment.
3. Turning On the Hood Vent When Cooking
Apartments and condos are usually tightly packed, which allows fumes to accumulate pretty quickly. Hood ranges are typically designed to get rid of odors, chemicals, grease, moisture, smoke, and other air pollutants released in the air when cooking. Remember to turn on your exhaust hood before you can begin cooking and also leave it on for around 15 to 20 minutes after you finish cooking.
4. Using Bathroom Exhaust Fans
The bathroom or shower room is one of the common sources of air pollution in an apartment. When there is no ventilation in your bathroom, mildew and mold have a favorable environment to grow. Consider using ventilation fans every time you use the bathtub or shower, or open the bathroom window to release the humidity caused.
5. Minimizing Dust Collection
One of the biggest dust collectors in condos and apartments is carpets. If possible, avoid using carpets within your unit. You need to also keep an eye on the other dust-collecting spots such as blinds, curtains, and any other object with high surface area. Make sure you dust and clean all these places regularly to reduce dust collection in your condo.
6. Installing Ductless Mini-Splits
A ductless mini-split refers to HVAC systems that enhance the indoor air quality of buildings. These systems comprise one outdoor compressor connected to indoor air conditioners through a chain of pipes and copper wires. A ductless mini-split is a highly versatile, efficient, and affordable alternative to cool and to heat your apartment while increasing ventilation.
Apart from their exceptional cooling and heating abilities, ductless mini splits also serve as purifiers, dehumidifiers, and air filters. These indoor air-handling devices come with filters that should be changed regularly to ensure the high efficiency of their filtering as well as their cooling and heating capacities. They can eliminate dust, dirt, debris, and harmful allergens from your apartment to improve your air quality.
7. Enjoy Indoor Plants
Some types of plants can assist you in improving indoor air quality. Generally, some plants will release oxygen in the air whereas others will remove common indoor toxins, chemicals, and allergens. Beneficial indoor plants such as Spider Plants, Chrysanthemums, and English Ivy can help improve the air quality and can enhance the appearance of your condo.
Taking care of a few plants in an apartment is relatively simple, and many plant species can survive with steady lighting from windows and regular watering. However, make sure you research how to take care of your preferred plant type because the optimal living conditions and caring instructions may vary from one plant to another.
8. Decluttering Your Space
The things in your living space that sit on the shelves collecting dirt and dust can typically hinder your apartment’s general health. Many people forget to clean or to dust their knick-knacks, which can only mean they harbor a lot of dust. You can consider donating some of your unwanted or unused items if they no longer have any sentimental value. Keeping a lot of stuff in your living space for the sake of it is not worth it. Donating or selling some of your stuff will give someone the chance to brighten his or her house with a discounted decoration item.
9. Testing Your Indoor Air Regularly
If you are worried about the air quality in your condo, you can frequently have the air quality tested. There are numerous ways to carry out an indoor air assessment yourself, but you can also consider calling a professional to get a more in-depth audit report. Harmful levels of carbon monoxide, radon, mildew, mold, and many other elements may show up on your test, helping you take the necessary actions to enhance the indoor air quality in your apartment.
In Conclusion
The air you breathe has a great impact on your health and well-being. With people spending most of their time indoors, the air should be of high quality for long- and short-term health. If you live in a multi-family setting, it’s essential to make your indoor air quality a priority. That is because there’s a high probability for harmful chemicals and pollutants to buildup in shared spaces. Implementing these tips will bring a significant difference in your living space.
To access cleaner and higher-quality air for your condo, call Beyer Air Conditioning & Heating today to schedule your indoor air quality test and report. We have the clean air solutions you need to improve the quality of your indoor air. We also offer HVAC services, which include air conditioning installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance. If you live in San Antonio and its environs, our team of experts can take care of all your heating and air conditioning needs to make your living space more comfortable.
