What Are the Best Ways to Improve Airflow?

Sufficient air flow is important to the air quality of any home or business. Problems including dust and mist collection, fumes and other pollutants can decrease the quality of the air, particularly if there is little to no air flow to flush out the building. In fact, because today’s homes are designed to be well-insulated and sealed for energy-efficiency, unwanted particles in the air have no where to go, so they stay in the building, growing and collecting more over time.

Homeowners and business owners are often unaware that there is poor air flow, until someone develops an allergic reaction due to the air pollution or the air begins to have a stale, unpleasant odor. Once the issue of poor airflow has been identified, there are certain steps you can take to improve airflow in a home or office. Consider the three tips below to solve airflow problems and create a fresh and healthy environment:

Tip #1
Check your furnace and air conditioning filters, cleaning or replacing filters that seem overly dirty or dusty. A filter can become so soiled that it is plugged, restricting airflow. Experts agree that routinely checking the condition of the furnace and AC filters is a good move to ensure the airflow is optimal and the systems are as efficient as they can be.

Tip #2
Use a Whole-Home Air Cleaner to remove particulates from the air. Cleansing the air allows people to inhale healthier air, decreasing allergic reactions and asthma. These professional-grade cleaners can be installed in the home to remove unwanted particles, including dust, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, pollen, bacteria, smoke and even viruses. A home or business free of dust and unhealthy particles in the air naturally has increased airflow.

Tip #3
Ensure the building is well-ventilated. Check all cold air returns in the home or office to ensure they are not blocked. Sometimes couches, tables, rugs or cabinets can become lodged against vents, preventing them from doing their job to keep the air flowing. Also make sure all vents that blow out the air are open and unobstructed.

Healthy Airflow is a Matter of Public Health

The EPA identified indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental risks to public health. A report revealed that air inside a building can be 100 more times polluted than outside air, which points to a great need for well-ventilated homes, new ventilation systems and whole-home air cleaners to keep families healthy and safe.

Consider contacting a home comfort systems professional who can evaluate your home’s air quality and help to determine the best plan of action to achieve and maintain healthy airflow and air quality.