24/7 Emergency ServiceUpdated January 2024:
The air quality in your home affects everything, including your level of comfort, seasonal allergies, and even the scent of your home. Dealing with air quality is a significant undertaking and can present challenges to homeowners but is vital to your health. Many studies have shown that indoor air quality and pollution can be significantly worse than outdoor air pollution on your health. Because of this, many homeowners are finding ways to improve their indoor air quality and live healthier lives – especially during a pandemic. One of the most common solutions is houseplants – but how exactly does it work?
How Do Houseplants Impact Air Quality in Your Home?
During a study done by NASA
in the 1980s, researchers looked into the effects of basic houseplants and how the air quality was affected in a closed, contained space. Inside that space, they found the plants positively affected air quality by increasing oxygen levels and cycling stale CO2 out of the air. In 2009, more exploration was done by the the University of Georgia to determine the impact houseplants had on toxins in the air and again found that houseplants significantly reduced the amount of pollution in any given area.
While research points to the significant impact plants have in a closed space, there is still more to be done. Because our homes are not maintained like a controlled lab where research is conducted, we, unfortunately, can’t use houseplants as our only source of air quality control. The air in your home is constantly changing and many factors play a part in the pollution inside.
Beyond that, the things that plants can affect are marginally restricted. Studies have shown that houseplants can help get rid of common gases found in homes, but many other pollutants can pose a threat to your health. These include things like pet hair, residue, and dust that are constantly moving around your home. Unfortunately, houseplants can’t get rid of these toxins.
What Are Our Solutions?
While houseplants probably won’t fix all the indoor air quality issues in your home, there are HVAC-focused solutions that can significantly reduce pollution in your home.
Keep Your System Clean
Keeping pollutants out of your home is important and the first step is to check your HVAC system. By keeping your HVAC clean, the air quality in your home will increase significantly. All you need to do is maintain a clean air filter and keep up with regular maintenance. This will stop most harmful particulars from moving freely throughout your home. Annual maintenance is the easiest way to stay up to date with the air quality in your home.
Consider an Air Purifier
If you want to ensure that even the smallest pollutants are removed from your space, an air purifier might be a smart investment. Some air purifiers can catch allergens and bacteria as small as .01 micron. The professionals at Air 24/7 Air Conditioning & Heating can help you find a system that works for your home.
Try a Humidifier
Humidity plays an important factor when it comes to the air quality in your home. Ideally, the humidity levels in your home should be between 30 and 50 percent depending on the time of year and weather.
While houseplants may not make a significant difference in your air quality, there’s no harm in having them in your home. If you’re ready to increase the quality of the air in your home further, Air 24/7 Air Conditioning & Heating can help.
