Houseplants can help make your home look brighter and more attractive, yet there isn’t much scientific evidence showing conclusively that they’re a particularly effective tool for improving indoor air quality. Loren’s Heating & Air in Salem OR, offers indoor air quality testing that can identify contaminants as well as indoor air quality solutions that can help you and your family breathe more easily.
Houseplants and Air Quality
Most talk about houseplants and air quality is based on the results of a study done in 1989 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In a closed system such as a space station, plants may have an extreme air-cleansing effect. Your home or workplace here on Earth, however, is not such a closed system.
In 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wrote a memo analyzing the original NASA report in which they noted that in order to achieve similar pollutant removal effects, you would have to have nearly 700 houseplants in your home. Even for someone who loves green, that’s a lot of ferns and philodendrons.
Practical Things You Can Do
Meanwhile, there are many other things you can do to improve your inside air quality aside from house plants. Vacuuming with equipment that incorporates a HEPA filtration system will cut down on the amount of dust and allergens within your home. Make sure to vacuum your rugs and carpets at least once a week. Controlling the humidity within your home is essential as well because moist surfaces are a breeding ground for mold, mildew and bacteria.
HVAC-Centered Air Purifying Solutions
The most important thing you can do to help improve your indoor air quality is to make sure that your heating and cooling systems receive regular maintenance services. Clean air filters are your first line of defense against indoor air pollution.
Rely on the Pros
Our technicians provide repairs, maintenance services, and installations for all makes and models of heating and cooling equipment in addition to services that can improve your indoor air quality. Call us today to schedule a service appointment.