How to improve your home’s air quality
Asset management and sustainability officer Priya Parthasarathy shares how to improve the air quality in your home.
Priya Parthasarathy
From urban smog to indoor smoke, air pollution poses a significant threat to our health.
On average in the UK, we spend 90% of our time inside buildings. This makes the indoor air quality and temperature of our homes extremely important.
Air pollutants can be categorized into two main types:
- Visible, such as smoke and dust.
- Invisible, such as carbon monoxide.
While visible pollutants look concerning, invisible pollutants can be equally or even more harmful, especially as some have no smell or colour so can go undetected.
Both types of pollutants can have serious effects on human health, causing respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and other long-term health complications.
Here are some key tips to improve indoor air quality:
- Open windows regularly to let in fresh air, but be careful about timing. Avoid opening windows during rush hour if you live near a busy road, or in the morning if you have allergies.
- Make sure to regularly test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Vacuum often, especially if you have carpets which can harbour allergens.
- Avoid burning candles frequently, or opt for beeswax candles which produce less smoke and pollutants
- Keep indoor plants to help naturally filter the air.
Be on the lookout for damp and mould
Mould can negatively affect indoor air quality by releasing tiny spores that can spread through the air. These spores can trigger respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma in some individuals.
To tackle damp and mould, try the following:
- Avoid hanging wet washing indoors.
- If you must dry your washing indoors, open a window so water vapour can escape.
- Use a clothes airer rather than hanging your washing directly on the radiator. Putting clothes on the radiator can cause condensation and add to your heating bills.
- Don’t put damp clothes back in your wardrobe – getting mould out of a wardrobe can be really difficult.
If you’re having an issue with damp, mould and/or condensation in your home, or any problems with ventilation, let us know about it as soon as possible on 0300 5000 600.
