Houston is known for a lot of great things, but we also face our fair share of climate related issues that directly affect the air quality inside our home. With hot, humid summers, industrial activity and occasional severe weather events like hurricanes and storms, maintaining a healthy indoor environment becomes essential for both residential homes and businesses. Continue reading as we discuss key challenges Houston faces when it comes to maintaining proper indoor air quality, and what you can do about them.
First we will explain key issues that our city faces that directly impact the quality of our indoor air.
- High Humidity and Mold Growth. We live in a subtropical climate, which means we get a lot of rain. The rain mixed with heat creates an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth, especially after big storms, floods, or hurricanes. First the mold starts to develop which gets released into your indoor air, creating allergens and irritants that have the potential to make you and those living inside your home sick.
- Industrial Pollution. The Houston area is home to many petrochemical manufacturing companies, which release toxic pollutants like benzene, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and ethylene oxide into the air. Indoor environments in commercial homes or residential buildings near industrial plants may experience increased levels of pollutants due to infiltration. This can worsen indoor air quality, exposing occupants to harmful substances.
- Increased Workload of HVAC Systems. Our high temperatures and humidity force AC units to work harder, leading to more energy consumption, increased wear and tear, and a stressed HVAC system. A stressed HVAC system might run continuously or cycle improperly, recirculating indoor air that contains allergens, dust, pet dander, and other pollutants, reducing overall air quality.
If you started to get a little worried reading what you have read so far, don’t. There are many things you can do to clean and purify the air inside your home. Our first recommendation is to have a professional HVAC technician come to your home and do a thorough inspection. They should check for leaks, dirty air filters, and conduct regular maintenance on your HVAC system to make sure it is running properly. They can also make recommendations on new products that are on the market that help with indoor air quality purification and control. Other than the professionals, there are several things you can do on your own:
Install a UV-C Air Purification System: Utilize ultraviolet light to neutralize airborne bacteria, viruses, and mold spores that thrive in humid Houston climates. This purification system uses Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation or UVGI light to kill airborne microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, and mold spores as air passes through the device. This technology works by damaging the DNA of these pathogens, preventing them from replicating and spreading.
Use Houseplants That Act as Natural Air Filters
Incorporate plants like areca palm, bamboo palm, or snake plants known for their ability to absorb pollutants and boost indoor air quality naturally.
Bathroom and Kitchen Ventilation: Using exhaust fans during showering and cooking removes moisture and contaminants from the air.
Choosing low-VOC products: Opting for paints, cleaners, and furniture with low volatile organic compound emissions reduces indoor air pollution.
Create a Ventilation Schedule During Cooler Hours: Open windows during early mornings or late evenings when outdoor air quality may be better, allowing fresh air to circulate without introducing humidity or pollutants.
Use Activated Charcoal Bags or Powders: Place activated charcoal in different rooms to naturally absorb odors, humidity, and toxins without chemicals.
Insulation and Window Upgrades: Improving insulation in attics and walls, and installing energy-efficient windows can reduce heat transfer, easing the burden on AC systems and lowering energy usage.
As you can see, there are many things you can do on your own to combat poor indoor air quality. And if you try everything you can on your own and are still having problems, call the experts at JW East Mechanical – we will help get the quality back to your indoor air in no time!