Considering that many people are spending more and more time indoors, it’s important to create a healthy home environment. Here are a few ideas for appliances you can upgrade for a healthier home.
Choose a Water Purifier
Clean, fresh drinking water is important to our health and well-being. Order a test of your home’s water so that you know what chemicals and contaminants are present. Choose a water filter that will remove impurities specific to your tap water. There are several types available like a small pitcher filter, a countertop model, or a whole-house filtration system.
Upgrade the Filters in Your HVAC System for a Healthier Home
When shopping for air filters for your heating and cooling system, choose filters that are designed to trap contaminants. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers performs testing on filters and rates them on a scale. MERV ratings range from 1 to 16 with higher numbers trapping smaller-sized particles.
When replacing filters in your HVAC unit, check the MERV rating. An important thing to note is that the higher the MERV rating, the harder your heating and cooling system will have to work to push air through the filter. You may filter more contaminants out of the air, but the system won’t be as efficient and you may see a higher power bill.
Purchase a Steam Cleaner
Steam cleaning machines provide an affordable and easy way to sanitize surfaces in your home. These appliances use hot water to kill bacteria and deep clean.
Steam cleaners can be used on floors, walls, the oven, tile, upholstery, windows, and countertops. No chemicals are used, so no VOCs or residues are left behind. When purchasing a steam cleaner, choose one with a variety of attachments to clean any surface in the house.
Install a Whole-House Dehumidifier
Especially if you struggle with mold growth, look into installing a whole-house dehumidifier. A whole-house system helps control humidity by reducing moisture in the air. They are fitted to your HVAC system to dehumidify while the system is running. A whole-house dehumidifier improves indoor air quality, makes your home more comfortable, and helps your HVAC system to run more efficiently.
A HEPA Vacuum is a Great Upgrade for a Healthier Home
Regular vacuuming improves air quality in your home by removing irritants like pet dander, pollen, and dust from carpet and rug fibers. When it’s time to purchase a new vacuum, upgrade to a model with a HEPA filter. These filters trap particles as small as 0.3 micrometers in size. HEPA vacuums are especially good in a home with allergy or asthma sufferers because they trap more contaminants and help relieve symptoms.
Coastline Home Inspection offers home inspections in the Hampton Roads area. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
