Easy Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Wichita
Have you ever stopped to think about the air you’re breathing right now? While Wichita offers beautiful outdoor spaces, the air inside our homes can sometimes be more polluted than we realize. From seasonal allergens carried by the Wichita wind to everyday dust and pet dander, maintaining good indoor air quality is crucial for the long-term health and comfort of your family.
The good news is that improving the air you breathe doesn’t have to break the bank or involve complicated solutions. So, let’s explore five easy ways to improve indoor air quality in Wichita.
1. Ventilation and Natural Airflow
Proper Ventilation
One of the easiest ways to improve air quality naturally in any Wichita home is by focusing on ventilation. Opening your windows for even a short period can work wonders. Creating cross-ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of your house allows fresh air to circulate. This effectively flushes out stale air and reduces air pollution indoors.
Exhaust Fans and Using Ventilation Systems
These fans are designed to create dry air, while removing airborne pollutants at their source. Using them while cooking or showering is a simple yet powerful step towards clean air and enhanced home comfort.
Houseplants and Greenery
While they shouldn’t be relied on as a primary solution, certain houseplants can also play a small role in improving poor indoor air quality. For example, The University of Utah states that plants like English Ivy effectively remove trace amounts of formaldehyde and ammonia from the air. Remember, though, their impact is limited, and they are best used in conjunction with other methods to provide safe indoor air.
Helpful Plants:
2. Focus on Whole House Humidifiers
Wichita springs and summers are known for their high humidity and mugginess. Over time, the increasing moisture in the air can create the perfect environment for mold, mildew, and bacteria growth. Additionally, the moisture in the air can make the particles difficult to disperse, trapping harmful particles indoors, worsening springtime allergies and air conditions.
Balancing your home’s humidity can significantly improve air quality. In particular, a whole-house humidifier system reduces the moisture in the air, making it easier to ventilate harmful particles. These systems use both humidifiers and dehumidifiers and integrate directly into the HVAC system. This makes it extremely easy to maintaining an optimal humidity level throughout the entire home, regardless of the season.
Our Recommendation
While there are a ton of benefits for whole house humidifiers, especially in Wichita’s climate. We still recommend maintaining proper humidity as this can reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that the optimal humidity for homes and living spaces is 30-50%.
3. Whole House Air Purifiers
Consider investing in a whole-house air purifier in Wichita Ks for a more comprehensive, long-term approach to clean air. Whole-house air purifiers work with your HVAC unit to effectively remove a wide range of airborne contaminants, including dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores.
These systems continuously clean the air in your home by collecting particles in a filter. Over time, usually a few hours to a day, the whole-house air purifier creates a significantly healthier indoor environment. It’s important to note that homeowners should change their air purifier filter regularly, every 1-3 months.
4. Use Zone Control Systems to Improve Air Quality
Circulating and Preventing Stagnant Air
Stagnant air can accumulate dust, allergens, and other pollutants. Most zone control systems help distribute filtered air more effectively from your HVAC system. This constant circulation prevents the buildup of air pollution in certain areas, creating fresh, comfortable air.
Our Recommendation For Zone Control Alternatives
Some effective, practical alternatives exist if you don’t use a zone control system.
- Use A Smart Thermostat – While they don’t directly improve air quality, they can optimize your HVAC system and send more consistent airflow through your filter. Some thermostats may include zoning options on the control panel.
- Invest in a Ductless Mini-Split System – Many mini-split systems control temperature and provide air filtering systems, which gives you the same benefit as a zone control system.
- Use Portable Air Purifiers – While portable air purifiers are less effective than whole-house options, they provide consistent filtration for small areas without breaking the bank.
5. Check and Change Your Air Filter Regularly
Checking and changing your air filter is a cost-effective, HVAC-efficient way of improving indoor air quality, especially in Wichita. Dusty spring winds and humid Wichita summers can quickly clog your air filters with dust, pollen, and other airborne particles, reducing your home’s air quality.
In short, a dirty filter forces your HVAC system to work harder, allowing contaminants to circulate throughout your home. For optimal indoor air quality in your Wichita home, check your air filters monthly and replace them every 1-3 months. Changing your air filter regularly can also help save on energy bills by 5-15% over time.
Consider Pets, Children, and Family Members
Homes with pets, children, or family members with allergies may need more frequent filter changes. This simple maintenance task improves your home’s air quality and helps maintain your heating and cooling system’s efficiency. In turn, this boost in efficiency can potentially reduce energy costs for Wichita homeowners while creating cleaner, healthier indoor air.
Air Filters For Wichita Homeowners
Choosing higher MERV-rated air filters is generally a good rule of thumb. Typically, the higher the MERV rating, the better the filter will catch smaller particles.
- Allergies or Asthma – People with asthma and allergies should focus on filters with MERV ratings 12-16
- Pets – MERV filters 11 and up are the most effective at capturing pet dander.
- Concerns about odors or VOCs – Some high-MERV filters incorporate activated carbon layers to help fight harmful chemicals and particles.
- Budget – Higher MERV filters generally cost more and may need more frequent replacement if the air is heavily polluted.
For more in-depth information we’ve put together 4 Reasons to Replace your Air Filter.
Ready to Breathe Easier in Your Wichita Home?
As one of the most vital parts of everyday public health, it’s valuable to understand how to improve indoor air quality over time. Air quality services are a great way to understand a professional’s perspective but it’s not the only option. There are still steps homeowners can practice daily to help prioritize their well-being and avoid health problems.
To start improving indoor air quality, focus on building a routine that includes thorough cleaning and proper ventilation. This is a great place to start and costs next to nothing. For more in-depth professional HVAC advice or information Mike Watson Heating & Cooling can help. Give us a call at (316) 522-3528, or contact us online, We’re always happy to answer questions.