According to Health Canada, the proper ventilation of air is essential for improving indoor air quality. Both natural and mechanical air ventilation systems keep fresh air circulating through our homes, improving both the feeling and smell of the air we breathe.
The Importance of Ventilation
Natural ventilation refers to the easy, natural movement of air, such as what happens when you open windows and doors, allowing outdoor air to come and stale indoor air to escape. Mechanical ventilation includes the movement of air by machines, such as ceiling fans and forced air systems that push air through a cycle, exchanging indoor air for fresh outdoor air. Both types of ventilation can be used to keep your indoor air feeling and smelling fresh all year round.
Opening your windows
Opening your windows is the simplest way to get fresh air circulating inside a room. When you accidentally burn something in the kitchen, your probable first reactions are to switch on the fan and open a window to circulate the smoke out of the room and prevent the smoke detector from activating. While opening a window allows outdoor air to circulate inside quickly, there is no filter involved. This allows outdoor pollutants and allergens to enter your home, reducing the quality of your indoor air. This is where mechanical ventilation options help.
Changing air filters
Air filters are the most effective tool for removing pollutants and particulate matter from indoor air. There are different types of filters that trap varying levels of dust and debris from the air. Look for a filter that contains activated charcoal to help remove odours and improve the freshness of your home. You should also change your filters as directed on the packaging for the best indoor air quality both at home and in your workplace.
Cleaning ducts and furnaces
Having your furnace and ducts cleaned on a regular basis will also help reduce the amount of indoor pollutants in your air. Over time, dust and debris can settle inside your ducts, stirring into the ventilation system every time it turns on, especially at the start of each season. Schedule routine cleaning services for both your air conditioning and heating systems before that season starts to prevent extra odours and allergens from entering your home.
Using air purifiers
Air purifiers can also help improve the quality of your indoor. An air purifier that is placed in a bedroom can help improve your quality of sleep each night. Not only can an air purifier remove common allergens from the room, but it will also help keep the room smelling fresh, allowing you to breathe easier.
Air fresheners: baking soda and ways to trap odours (not chemically created candles)
Air fresheners have been popular options for several decades now, improving the smell of our homes and workplaces. In recent years, there has been a movement away from chemically treated air fresheners to more environmentally friendly, natural ingredient air fresheners. Three natural ingredients that effectively eliminate odours are:
Baking Soda: Baking soda is an effective natural odour neutralizer. Simply open a box of baking soda or pour some into an open container and place it in a safe location, out of the reach of children and pets or where it could be easily knocked over.
Vinegar: When diluted with water, vinegar is a handy disinfectant and odor eliminator. The strong scent of fresh vinegar wears off quickly when diluted with water, eliminating other bad odors with it. Use it to clean up strongly scented messes in your home or spray it on the odour culprit. Always test natural solutions on small areas before applying them to large ones in case of discoloration or material damage.
Coffee Grounds: If you’ve ever shopped for fragrances in a department store, you might have been offered a bowl of coffee grounds to sniff in order to clear your smelling palette before testing samples. Coffee grounds can also be placed strategically around a home or office to help freshen the air and eliminate unwanted odours. Just remember to switch out the grounds on a regular basis to prevent mold from forming.
Your Professional HVAC and Duct Cleaners in Edmonton
If you hope to improve the air quality in your home or office this year, contact Clean Air Solutions, your expert Edmonton HVAC and duct cleaners. We’ll ensure that your indoor air smells and feels fresh, no matter the season!
