Improving the overall indoor air quality of your home or business continues to be a water cooler issue. The kids always sneeze, the house always seems so dusty, why does our office always smell so bad? Why are my hands so rough? Sounds familiar?

To be honest, the solutions are simple, but they won’t go away without help. The first thing you should do is perform a simple indoor air quality assessment. You can make one by simply following the questions below or get a free evaluation by one of your local heating and cooling contractors. Make sure they have something to do with indoor air quality. Some are now known as indoor air quality or IAQ consultants. Here are some of the basic questions:

1. Do you notice any symptoms especially or when you are in certain rooms or floors of the house? Examples would be sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, runny nose, or eyes.

2. Are there smokers in the house?

3. Do you have any pets? What type?

4. Does anyone have allergies or asthma?

5. What type of heating and cooling system do you have and what is it like?

6. What type of home filtration system do you have, if any?

7. Do you use a dehumidifier anywhere in the house?

8. Do you use a humidifier anywhere in the house?

9. Do you have any signs of mold?

10. Do your windows ever condense during the winter months?

So now I am going to suggest some simple suggestions to possibly remedy your problems.

1. Check and change your air filters at least every three months and clean all supply and return vents in your home at least once a year. This one is so simple and yet people don’t seem to follow it. If your filters are covered in dirt and dust there is no way for the air to circulate properly more new dust or dirt and soon it starts to clog the filter which turns out to be bad for your oven and for you.

Here’s what the EPA says about home filters:

“Flat or panel air filters with a MERV of 1 to 4 are commonly used in residential furnaces and air conditioners. For the most part, these filters are used to protect HVAC equipment from the buildup of unwanted materials in the air. surfaces, such as fan motors and heating or cooling coils, and not for direct indoor air quality reasons.

Pleated or Extended Surface Filters

Medium efficiency filters with a MERV of 5 to 13 are reasonably efficient at removing small and large airborne particles. Filters with a MERV between 7 and 13 are likely to be almost as effective as true HEPA filters in controlling most indoor airborne particles. Medium-efficiency air filters are generally less expensive than HEPA filters and allow for quieter HVAC fan operation and higher airflow rates than HEPA filters because they have less resistance to airflow.”

There are also some filter additions that go further and depending on your situation you should check them out. If you are concerned about allergies and dust, a UV light air duct purifier could solve your problems. They are known to kill mold, germs, and viruses, and the bulbs typically last about two years. A good filter and UV light can work wonders, but they need to be properly maintained.

2. So now let’s talk about your furnace and air conditioner. How old are they? If you have a system that is 15-20 years old, it may be time to upgrade. The fan may no longer circulate air at full capacity. The condenser may not be cooling as it should. If you buy a new high-efficiency heater, your comfort level and air quality can instantly improve simply because the fan is no longer a problem and the air is properly circulated and filtered.

3. An Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) exchanges stale indoor air for the same amount of fresh outdoor air. It retains heat and moisture from exchanged air in winter, but preconditions and dehumidifies incoming air in summer to make your home or office more comfortable year-round. If you have smokers in the house, is this a great way to remove bad toxins from the air? The (ERV) is also a great tool for removing condensation, mold, allergens, reducing radon particles, and simply making your home or office smell better.

4. Whole House Humidifier: If you experience dry air and dry skin during the winter, you’re not alone. You may even think that the little 5 gallon elephant mist can even help you, as he spews mist into your room while you sleep and might, a little. Well, instead of being selfish, a whole house bypass humidifier will usually do the trick for your entire family or employees. They are easy to install and can start dispensing as little as 7 to 12 gallons of water per day without having to refill another mist. These also do wonders for static electricity.

5. Whole House Dehumidifier: Unless you live in a bad area or under the flood table, you shouldn’t need a commercial solution like one of these, but sometimes it can help. If you’re tired of constantly emptying the portable basement system you’re currently using, this might be your best option. The basic whole house dehumidifier will remove four times more water than typical dehumidifiers and will save energy and filter the air as well.

6. When it comes to mold, some of the above solutions may help, but mostly with airborne mold. If you can see mold buildup in your basement or bathroom, it is recommended that you contact a mold mitigation professional for an evaluation. Mold left unattended can do a lot of damage. You may not even be able to see the damage because it’s behind the drywall or paneling.

Every home and every concern will vary, but the above article should at least give you a heads up about whether you should be concerned about indoor air quality. When in doubt or to get a second opinion, you can always call one of your local indoor air quality experts.