When you use your Fayetteville, North Carolina, home as your office, maintaining the environment is instrumental in being able to perform your job and keep on track for the tasks at hand. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in your home office, part of creating a pleasant work environment is making sure that your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) is ideal. Help keep the IAQ in your home office in top shape by following the tips below.
Make Sure Ventilation Is Appropriate
Your workspace should have the appropriate ventilation to make sure that heat and air conditioning from your system is delivered to the area to keep air circulating. If you enjoy opening windows on nice days, consider installing ceiling fans or a whole-house attic fan to draw in the breeze and keep the air from stagnating. You may also want to consider having your ductwork cleaned to get rid of built-up dust and debris that can keep recirculating throughout your home.
Consider Investing in an Air Purifier
An air purifier can be a great investment for those who plan on working long hours in a confined room in the house, especially if you suffer from allergies or have common pollutants such as pet dander that circulates throughout your home. You can invest in a whole-house air purifying system to improve the indoor air quality throughout the house. Alternatively, choose a stand-alone unit to address your office’s needs.
Rethink Your Cleaning Products
Keeping your home clean is vital for regulating the indoor air quality of your home. Regular cleanings can remove pet hair and dander and reduce the amount of dust and dust mites that can find their way into your HVAC system. But exercise caution when cleaning, and consider using natural cleaning products to achieve your desired results. Many chemical cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can release into the air when used and decrease overall indoor air quality.
Maintain the Correct Moisture Levels
Keeping your humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent is essential to not only keep rooms at a comfortable temperature but also to prevent biological growth and micro-toxins from being released into the air that you breathe. When humidity levels are off, allergies can be triggered, causing discomfort and breathing difficulties. To help maintain proper humidity, you should monitor humidity levels, clean up and address leaks or moisture-related problems, and make sure the drip pan in your air conditioning unit is draining properly.
Ditch the Fragrant Deodorizers
The only things worse than the chemicals that are released with high-chemical cleaning products are chemicals used in fragrant sprays and deodorizers. Using these products may seem like a quick fix to combat odors or improve the smell of the air, but the VOCs that are released can cause significant problems. Synthetic fragrances can cause severe skin irritation and potential respiratory dangers when they are inhaled. If the smell is a problem in your home office, consider using natural fragrances and deodorizers.
Add Some Air-Filtering Plants to Your Space
Plants can dress up an area, release natural fragrances, and improve moods. Certain plants can also help filter air and improve indoor air quality in your home office. Many plants naturally absorb VOCs and can eliminate a number of toxic substances that may be present in your air. Although plants may not trap all of the pollutants found in your home office space, they can certainly reduce the amount. Some of the plants that have these air-filtering qualities include English ivy and peace lilies.
Monitor Indoor Air Quality Levels
Monitor indoor air quality levels by wiring your home with a VOC sensor that will notify you when pollutant levels become too high. You also can see reports of past levels of pollutants, allowing you to track patterns and make necessary adjustments.
Follow the tips above to improve the indoor air quality of your home office space and make it the ideal place to get your work done. If you’d like more information on how to maintain the air quality in your home, or if you’re interested in learning more about air purifiers, contact our air quality specialists at Cape Fear Air Conditioning, Heating & Electrical Company, Inc. by calling 910-216-9394 in Fayetteville.
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