Observing the air quality is important when we spend a lot of time inside our homes. Since the human body benefits from breathing in fresh air, we want to ensure the indoor air quality is as safe and clean as possible. When the air quality is poor, there could be a lot of dust, allergens, and bacteria passing through your home. This may lead to a myriad of health problems in the long term, especially among those with respiratory conditions.

Fortunately, there are many natural ways to purify the air in your home. You just need to make a couple of simple adjustments that will increase the overall indoor air quality. Once you have adapted to these changes, the air quality should improve and you will start breathing in fresher, purer air inside the house.

Here are the ten best ways to purify the air in your home:

1. HVAC maintenance

The HVAC system sets the primary foundation of the indoor air quality inside every home. When the HVAC units are properly maintained, they ensure that clean air is regulated throughout the home at maximum efficiency. A faulty HVAC system will have the opposite effect, causing inefficiencies that may obstruct the circulation of clean air in your home. For the best indoor air quality, you should schedule regular appointments for HVAC inspections.

2. HEPA filters

Commonly referred to as HEPA filters, High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters are an excellent way to help purify the air in your home, especially if you are an allergy sufferer. HEPA filters are able to remove more than 99% of all airborne pollutants 0.3 microns or larger. They are capable of killing airborne germs and particles that can trigger allergy symptoms.

If you’re wondering how you can incorporate HEPA filters into your home, these could be found in some air purifiers, HVAC systems, and vacuum cleaners.

3. UV lights

Another way to purify the air in your home is with the use of UV lights. You can choose to have an ultraviolet light installed in your HVAC system, which will help to kill microbes as they pass through the system. UV lights will kill growths in the air resulting from high humidity levels. They can be beneficial for allergy sufferers, as well as those living in hot, humid areas.

A UV light will kill bacteria and mould spores before they get blown into the system. Along with a UV light, you will still need to use a high-quality air filter for the best purifying results.

4. HRV and ERV

HRV and ERV, which stand for Heat Recovery Ventilator and Energy Recovery Ventilator, can both be beneficial for improving the air quality in your home. They were created to remove stale air from the home, while bringing in fresh air from outside.

If you live in a colder climate, the heat recovery ventilator (HRV) will retain heat inside the home, while bringing in fresh air. For those living in climates with hot humid summers, the Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) reduces the amount of moisture entering your home. And for those living in dryer climates, the ERV reduces the amount of moisture leaving your home.

5. High MERV filters

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, also known as MERV, is a measurement scale to report the effectiveness of air filters. The scale ranges from 1-16, and most residential HVAC systems will use air filters with a rating from 7-12.

Using a media cabinet with a high MERV filter is another great choice if you want to purify the air in your home. They are installed in the return duct of your forced air heating or cooling system. The media air cleaner can trap tiny particles including pollen, dust, and dander, making them a great choice for allergy sufferers.

6. Purify the air with essential oils

When used properly, essential oils can be one of the best natural ways to purify the air in your home. Some types of essential oils can help to fight bacteria, mould, fungi, and other nasty intruders that lower the indoor air quality. Tea tree oil and cinnamon oil are two of the most powerful essential oils with positive results.

To employ the essential oils, you will need an oil diffuser. This elegant device acts like a humidifier, dissipating an essential oil-laden steam within the room. Over time, the diffuser will help to purify the air in your home. Instead of a diffuser, you can also add a few drops of the essential oil into a bowl of warm water, letting it slowly evaporate into the room.

7. Use house plants to purify the air

Plants are an effective way to purify the air in your home. The best house plants are known for detoxifying the air, which can kill airborne germs in your household. Some popular house plants for air purification include the aloe vera, the weeping fig, the snake plant, and the ever-popular spider plant.

The spider plants are especially popular due to their low maintenance. These plants can also reproduce themselves, giving you extra plants that you can then hang throughout your home. For the best air purifying results from house plants, you should place a plant about every hundred square feet. While you do have to maintain these plants from time to time, their air purification benefits could last for many years to come.

8. Eliminate mould from your home

Mould releases harmful spores into the atmosphere of your home, which will severely impact the indoor air quality. These spores are detrimental to our health and can be a huge problem for those with respiratory problems.

You should conduct a diligent search for mould at least once a year. Mould can often be found in basements and bathrooms, appearing in the dark and damp spots where the spores grow unhindered. If you detect the presence of mould in your home, you should eliminate it with urgency.

9. Air out your new furniture

Chemicals can often be found in the most unsuspecting places, even within the new furniture that you bought for your bedroom or living room. Whether it is a new couch or a new chair, some furniture pieces are stuffed with volatile chemical compounds that will release into the air of your home. You don’t want these chemicals to foul the indoor air quality.

There are several ways to work around this problem. Firstly, you can place the furniture in the garage for a week to let the chemical compounds dissipate into the air. Secondly, you can place the furniture near a window to increase air circulation. Finally, you can buy from ecofriendly furniture manufacturers that minimize the use of harmful chemicals in their processes.

10. Use natural air purifiers in your home

There are many natural air purifiers with positive detoxifying effects on the indoor air quality of your home. One example is beeswax candles, which can eliminate the dust and toxins in the air. These candles are also smokeless, so they shouldn’t aggravate any respiratory problems as other candles might.

Another great natural air purifier is the Himalayan salt lamp. These pink-orange salt lamps work well as air purifiers, soaking up toxins and other pollutants to purify the air in your home. You can keep a salt lamp on your desk and another near your bedside table, which will improve the air quality as you work and sleep respectively. As an added bonus, these salt lamps will work whether they are switched on or not.

With the arrival of spring, there are many activities that we can do to prepare for the new season. One of the more practical activities is to get our HVAC systems ready for spring. Since you will need air conditioning when the temperature gets warmer, you want to make sure your HVAC system is in great condition.

It would be wise to schedule a seasonal maintenance appointment with a professional HVAC specialist, especially if your system is getting old. If you can’t remember the last time a contractor performed preventative HVAC maintenance, this is an indication that you need to make a new appointment. Maintenance will not only help you stay cool when the summer heat arrives, but it will also help you save money on energy bills and costly repairs.

In addition to scheduling a maintenance appointment, you should follow these eight helpful air conditioner and HVAC tips for spring:

Tip #1: Clean leaves and debris around the HVAC unit.

Spring is the perfect time to clean up the debris, dead leaves, and tree branches that have accumulated around the air conditioning unit. During the winter, you probably didn’t check up on the HVAC system when the outdoor temperature was so cold. As a result, your air conditioning system could have a lot of dirt and dust build-up over these past few months.

When your air conditioning unit is dirty and clogged, this could reduce the overall efficiency of the HVAC equipment. In some potential cases, this could even cause critical damages to your air conditioner. You should remember to clean up your AC unit at least a few times throughout the season. Due to the frequency of storms and strong winds during spring, a lot of debris can potentially infiltrate your air conditioning unit.

Tip #2: Be careful about vegetation that grows around the HVAC unit.

Gardening is a popular activity during the spring. As a gardener, an important HVAC tip is to be mindful of the vegetation that grows around your air conditioning unit. This includes any flowers, crops, bushes and small trees planted near the air conditioner. Make sure these plants do not touch the air conditioning system.

Ideally, the vegetation should not grow within two feet of the air conditioner. The AC unit needs to pull in air to cool down the home properly, so you don’t want the equipment to be obstructed by anything nearby. If this is a problem, it is recommended that you trim a few plants or relocate them elsewhere in your garden.

Tip #3: Replace the dirty air filters

The air filter in your HVAC system is intended to improve the air quality inside your home. The air filter works by trapping dust, pollen, and other allergens throughout your home. If the air filter is dirty, this means your air conditioner will not function as effectively as it should.

You should ideally check the air filter once a month. If you have a disposable filter, you can replace the dirty filter with a new one. If it’s a reusable filter, simply wash the filter and put it back into place.

Tip #4: Test the HVAC system.

Spring is an ideal season to test your HVAC system after a long period of inactivity. You want to make sure the system runs properly before the scorching summer temperatures arrive. During the testing phase, let the HVAC system run for an hour. Then, check if you notice anything unusual inside and outside of your home. If there are any issues, you still have plenty of time to schedule for an air conditioner repair before the summer season starts.

Tip #5: Install a new HVAC system.

When was the last time you bought a new HVAC system? If the purchase happened a long time ago, it may be time to consider upgrading your current HVAC system for this spring season. An old air conditioner could cost you more in maintenance and repair costs than the price of getting a new one installed. A new air conditioning system comes with many benefits, including reliability, energy efficiency, and a better overall performance.

Tip #6: Check the condition of your air ducts.

Another HVAC tip for spring is to inspect the air ducts around your home. The ducts may be clogged with dust and debris, which can decrease the efficiency of the HVAC system. You may also notice there are cracks or leaky joints in the ductwork. Call a professional HVAC contractor to assess the damage and find out what repairs need to be done.

Tip #7: Install a programmable thermostat.

A programmable thermostat is a useful device that will make it easier to regulate the temperature inside your home. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat yet, it could be a good idea to have one installed during spring. There are many benefits of a programmable thermostat, including a feature to monitor the temperature when nobody is home.

If you already have a programmable thermostat, spring is the perfect time to review your settings. Based on your preferences, adjust the thermostat to ensure your home stays comfortable as the temperature increases.

Tip #8: Close your windows and doors when the AC is on.

Even before summer arrives, you may notice the temperature getting a lot warmer outside. If you don’t enjoy the sweltering heat, it may be necessary to turn on the air conditioner a bit earlier during the spring. When the air conditioning system is running, you should keep all the windows and doors closed. This prevents the hot and humid air from entering your home, which could be counterintuitive to the effectiveness of your HVAC system.

Finding the best humidity level in your house can be a delicate balancing act. When the humidity levels are too high, the air will feel uncomfortably wet and stuffy. You will begin sweating more, but the air is so humid that your sweat does not evaporate quickly. The high humidity environment will force your body to work harder to cool off, which leads to excessive sweating.

There are negative consequences with prolonged periods of high humidity. You may experience allergy flare-ups, respiratory problems, and sleep interruptions. In addition, you may notice the gradual growth of mould and mildew within your surroundings. Once these fungi begin to grow, they will only continue until your humidity problem is properly addressed.

A hygrometer can read the humidity levels and measure the amount of moisture in the air. The ideal indoor humidity level should be around 30% to 50%. If the rating exceeds this range, you need to find effective ways on how to reduce the humidity in your house.

Below are seven ideas on how to lower humidity and bring it down to an acceptable level:

1. Use a dehumidifier to lower humidity in the house.

A dehumidifier is an absolute necessity on how to reduce high humidity in the house. The dehumidifier will help to remove excess moisture as the air passes through the device. Once the air reaches you, it will feel cooler and drier as a result.

In addition, the dehumidifier can help to reduce some of the common allergens in the air, such as dust mites, mould spores, and mildew. The powerful device can also make your home smell better by reducing any musty or rotting odours. With the dehumidifier running quietly in the background, you will end up with healthier indoor air quality throughout your house.

2. Fix any leaking pipes around the house.

Leaking pipes lead to excess moisture and condensation, which are common culprits for the high humidity around the house. Check your pipes, faucets, and plumbing fixtures for any possible leaks. You should also check your gutters, which are one of the likeliest sources of indoor water leaks.

If you identify a leak, wrap the exposed pipe with insulation. Your goal is to minimize moisture and prevent condensation from infiltrating your home through these openings. While the smaller leaks could be difficult to detect at first, some of the possible signs include stained drywall, wet spots, and inconsistent water bills.

3. Use your air conditioner to reduce humidity.

Your air conditioning system can be used to lower high humidity levels in the house. An air conditioner works by introducing cool air and removing warm air simultaneously. During the process of absorbing heat, the air conditioner also removes some of the moisture from the air. This makes the air less humid as a result.

In order to maximize its effectiveness, make sure your air conditioner is functioning properly and maintained regularly. The air filter should also be frequently cleaned. Using the air conditioner to regulate your humidity levels is recommended in summer, but you will need alternative solutions during the cold winter months.

4. Open the windows to lower humidity levels.

If you need a quick and temporary way to lower the humidity in your house, an open window could prove to be useful. The act of opening a window isn’t going to eliminate humidity altogether, but it will help to improve the air flow. The increased circulation will be effective in evaporating more moisture, so you should notice less humidity in the air.

5. Limit the amount of plants in your house.

When you have many indoor plants in your home, high humidity is more likely to occur. As lovely as plants are, they do release a lot of moisture into the air. In order to control the humidity levels, you can either move the plants outside or limit the amount of plants within your indoor spaces. If you keep the plants inside, place them in a room with proper ventilation.

6. Use your ventilation fans in the kitchen and washroom.

Many modern homes are built with ventilation fans in the washrooms and exhaust fans in the kitchens. Use these fans wisely to reduce the excess humidity in your house. These fans are designed to extract damp air from the area. If you leave the fans powered on for a while, this will help to reduce the humidity levels in your home.

7. Dehumidify a room with charcoal briquettes.

Using charcoal briquettes is an interesting way to lower the humidity levels. Take a few clean charcoal briquettes, put them in a basket, and place these strategically around the high humidity sections of your home. Since charcoal can absorb a lot of moisture, the briquettes will be effective in reducing humidity over time. They can be replaced every few months for maximum impact.

Does your thermostat drop below its set temperature frequently? This can be a frustrating problem when your home’s temperature and your thermostat’s settings do not seem to match. No matter how much you adjust the thermostat, the temperature always falls short of the optimal level, resulting in a colder house than anticipated.

A functioning thermostat will regulate the right amounts of warmth and coolness in our homes. Quite understandably, we expect the thermostat to regulate at a consistent temperature that corresponds with our predetermined settings. If the thermostat drops below the set temperature, this brings into question whether the HVAC system works or not.

There could be numerous reasons why your thermostat drops below the set temperature. Some problems are simple to fix, while others will require more professional HVAC expertise to decipher. Below are eight common explanations about why the thermostat drops below a set temperature:

Reason #1: Your thermostat is improperly calibrated.

As with any piece of technology, the thermostat may become faulty from time to time. This affects its ability to assess the temperature accurately. Due to these technical glitches, the thermostat could indicate a lower (or higher) number than the actual temperature.

To fix this problem, follow the instruction manual to ensure the thermostat is properly calibrated. The calibration process may vary between different thermostat models, but it should be simple and straightforward to perform. Every thermostat will require calibration, regardless of whether you have a manual model or a digital version.

Reason #2: Your thermostat is broken and needs to be replaced.

Sometimes, a thermostat is so completely broken that no amount of calibration will fix it. You will know your thermostat is malfunctioning if it causes your heater to turn on and off at inappropriate times. This is one of the most common warning signs that your thermostat could be broken. Other warning signs may include a non-responsive thermostat that won’t turn on or power off properly.

If you have a broken thermostat, the HVAC professional may be able to fix your device depending on the problem. Otherwise, you will have to replace the broken thermostat with a new version instead.

Reason #3: The outdoor unit is broken and not running properly.

If the thermostat is working properly, then the problem may lie within your HVAC system. A broken outdoor unit could lead to less efficiency in your heating and cooling systems. Since the unit doesn’t operate at its full potential, you may get weaker power and lower temperatures as a result.

The prospective problems with HVAC units tend to be diverse and complex, ranging from a defective valve to a faulty run capacitor. Unless you have the technical expertise, you will need professional technicians to troubleshoot the HVAC system. Depending on the diagnosis, further repairs or a full system replacement may be necessary.

Reason #4: The temperature is too cold outside.

Winter can be an intensely cold season with plummeting temperatures. If the outdoor temperatures drop too much, your heat pump may experience a loss of efficiency under these extreme weather conditions.

Most heat pumps are built with a supplemental heating system that kicks in to give it extra power during the cold. However, the outdoor temperature could drop to a point where your heat pump is simply not powerful enough. In other words, the warmth that it generates cannot sustain against the coldness of winter.

Reason #5: The outdoor unit is frozen and covered in ice.

Along with the cold temperatures, snow and ice are quite prevalent during the winter season. During a snowstorm, the coil of your heat pump might be covered in a layer of ice. If these coils are completely blocked by ice, the heat transfer between the refrigerant and the outside air cannot occur. As soon as these coils are cleared, you can expect your desired temperature to come roaring in again.

Reason #6: Your furnace isn’t the right size.

When a furnace is inappropriately sized, this could cause heating issues inside a home. A furnace that is too small may not have the power to reach high temperatures. Conversely, a furnace that is too large may warm the air so quickly that it overheats faster than the thermostat expects.

Reason #7: Your home isn’t adequately insulated.

Warm temperature has a way of escaping from poorly insulated homes. The easiest way to check your home insulation is to feel the interior ceilings, walls, and floors. If they are warm and dry during winter, this is a good signal. If they are damp or cold, you haven’t applied enough insulation.

Reason #8: There are leaking ducts in your home.

Your HVAC system is significantly impacted by the leaking ducts in your attics, crawlspaces, and basements. When there is a leak, the heated air will escape through these openings and never arrive at their intended destination. The leaky ducts will create cold spots, heat losses, and uneven temperatures throughout your home.