Your Cincinnati area home, like most homes, has poorer air quality inside than outside. This isn't your fault; outside air is constantly mixed, filtered by plants and refreshed. Indoor air is recirculated and cleaned using the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. But the HVAC system Cincinnati homeowners rely on can improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) if you follow a few helpful suggestions. 

HVAC Equipment

Investing in a few HVAC components can improve IAQ rapidly:

• Have an HVAC contractor install a germicidal ultraviolet light (UV). This purifies the home’s air by destroying the cell structure of molds, viruses and bacteria inside the HVAC system. It keeps unpleasant slime growth off components. 
• Have your HVAC contractor install a multipurpose air-purifying system, such as high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration. 
• Replace disposable pleated or flat filters at least monthly, and more often, if you're an allergy sufferer.

Personal Habits

• Have everyone who enters your home take their shoes off upon entering. This keeps outdoor material from spreading throughout the home.
• Reduce indoor clutter. This reduces household dust accumulating on surfaces and items throughout the home. Consider glass-fronted cabinets for truly important items. 
• Apply allergy-proof covers and cases on mattresses and pillows. 
• Keep windows shut at night. This helps keep the home cool overnight in summer, and reduces intrusive pollen from drifting in, setting off allergy attacks. 

Cleaning

• Kitchen sponges should go through the dishwasher every few days to prevent bacteria from setting up base camp. Moisture in sponges invites mildew growth, too. You can also soak sponges in bleach or vinegar. 
• Wash your family’s bedding in hot water to kill household dust mites. This reduces allergy attacks. 
• When dusting, use microfiber cloths with no spray. These are washable and reusable without adding pollutants to your air. Dust from high to low, driving dust downward, and end by vacuuming. 

For more helpful HVAC tips for your Cincinnati home, contact JonLe Heating & Cooling. 

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