Did you know that air pollution isn't just an outdoor issue? There are many factors in your home that can negatively impact your indoor air quality.

Luckily, there are relatively easy things you can do to improve the air quality of your home.

Our real estate agents have a few tricks up their sleeves. Use these tips and tricks to improve your indoor air quality!

1. Eliminate Pollutants
   One of the most important steps to improving indoor air quality is to eliminate pollutants at their source. This includes usingnon-toxic, fragrance-free household cleaners and detergents, replacing chemical-based air fresheners with essential oil diffusers, and utilizing non-toxic extermination methods to get rid of pests. Be sure to also check for and eliminate mold in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and any other moisture-prone areas.
2. Change Your HVAC Filters
   Furnace filters typically need to be changed about once every 30 days during the colder months, and the same goes for air conditioner filters in summer. If you're prone to dust allergies, you can also upgrade to more advanced HEPA filters, which eliminate harmful particles from the air more effectively.
3. Have Air Ducts Cleaned and Checked
   Air ducts deliver conditioned air throughout your house, but they could be distributing pollutants as well. The consensus among air quality experts is that air ducts should be cleaned every 3 to 5 years, possibly more in a home with older ductwork. It's also a good idea to have your HVAC system serviced annually, which should include checking the air ducts for leaks that could let pollutants in.
4. Vacuum Rugs and Carpets
   Rugs and carpets are magnets for all kinds of irritating particles, from dust and dust mites to pet dander, pollen and mold spores. One of the best things you can do for your air quality is to eliminate carpets and replace them with hardwood or tile floors, which are much easier to keep clean. Any carpets and area rugs you do have should be vacuumed regularly, along with couches, drapes, and any other upholstery.
5. Get Some House Plants
   House plants make us happy for a lot of reasons, and not just because they're green and nice to look at. They clean the air we breathe and filter out carbon dioxide while they replenish the oxygen in our homes. Many house plants filter out other airborne chemicals as well.
6. Use Windows With Care
   Opening up a window to let fresh air in is a tried-and-true method of improving indoor air quality. That is unless it's allergy season. So feel free to throw open the windows and feel the breeze, but be sure to check the daily pollen count if you're prone to allergies!
7. Control Humidity
   Low humidity and high humidity can each be irritating in their ways, and there are a variety of options to combat both. Humidifiers do a great job adding moisture to dry air—an issue you've undoubtedly encountered if you live in an old house with a forced-air furnace—while dehumidifiers are great for staying comfortable during sticky summer weather. Just be careful to keep them clean. Portable humidifiers, in particular, can become breeding grounds for bacteria without regular cleaning.

Our team is dedicated to helping you find your dream home and live your best life in Northern New England. Contact ustoday to learn more.