Try These 10 Tips to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

The air inside your home can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside. In South Louisiana’s humid climate, that problem gets worse because moisture feeds mold growth and traps allergens indoors. Here are 10 things you can do to clean up the air in your house.

1. Change Your Air Filter on Schedule

This is the single easiest thing you can do. A clogged filter restricts airflow and pushes dust back into your living spaces. In Acadiana, where pollen and humidity are both high, check your filter monthly and replace it every 30 to 90 days depending on the type.

2. Control Your Humidity

Mold thrives above 60% relative humidity, and we blow past that number for most of the year down here. A whole-home dehumidifier paired with your AC keeps levels in the 40-50% range where mold can’t take hold.

3. Keep the House Clean

Vacuuming carpets and rugs regularly, dusting with a microfiber cloth, and mopping hard floors removes the dust and pet dander that your HVAC system would otherwise recirculate.

4. Use Exhaust Fans

Run the bathroom fan during and after showers. Run the range hood while cooking. These fans pull moisture and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) out of the house before they get into your ductwork.

5. Open Windows When the Weather Allows

Fresh air dilutes indoor pollutants. On the handful of dry, mild days we get in spring and fall, open a few windows and let the house breathe.

6. Switch to Low-VOC Cleaning Products

Chemical-heavy cleaners release fumes that linger in a closed-up house. Vinegar, baking soda, and products labeled “low-VOC” do the job without adding pollutants to your air.

7. Add Air Purification to Your HVAC System

A HEPA air purifier or UV light system installed in your ductwork catches and kills particles that a standard filter misses. These are especially helpful for homes with allergy sufferers or pets.

8. Tackle Dust Mites in the Bedroom

Wash bedding in hot water weekly and use allergen-proof covers on pillows and mattresses. Dust mites are one of the most common indoor allergens, and the bedroom is where they concentrate.

9. Don’t Smoke Inside

Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals. Even with a good HVAC system, smoking indoors contaminates your air and sticks to surfaces, walls, and ductwork.

10. Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance

A yearly tune-up includes cleaning the evaporator coil, checking the drain line, and inspecting the blower motor. All of those directly affect the quality of air moving through your house. We’ve been doing this for nearly 70 years, and a well-maintained system is the foundation of good indoor air quality.

If your home feels stuffy, smells musty, or if allergy symptoms get worse when you’re inside, your indoor air quality likely needs attention. Call F & R Air Conditioning at (337) 893-5646 and we’ll help you figure out where to start.