Flu season might be behind us, but that doesn’t mean there are not any steps to take for your household to remain healthy.
Our homes are more than just a place to sleep. They’re our restaurants, gyms, and offices, too. In fact, we spend up to 90% of our time indoors. It’s essential to go the extra mile to ensure that everything is as healthy as possible while at home.
Take a look at this list of areas to focus on so your healthy home can happen:
1 . Ventilation
Proper ventilation keeps your air nice and healthy indoors. Like our lungs, homes need to be able to breathe. Air indoors can build up elevated levels of moisture, gases, dust, and other air pollutants.
A ventilation system helps reduce indoor air pollution. But it only works best if your system is in tip top shape! A good rule of thumb is to inspect your air filter every two to three months. Another pro tip: prioritize regular check-ups. Our HVAC Planned Maintenance Program will schedule visits at the start of each season to make sure your equipment is running efficiently.
Allergens can also be removed from the air with an air purifier. (There are more pollutants in the air than you can imagine!) A whole-home purifier can assist with reducing the amount of dust, dander, and pollen in the air of your home!
2. Air Quality
Did you know that air pollutants have a concentration up to five times higher indoors? With all of that pollution, it’s key to clean the air your family breathes. Put your mop back in the closet... there’s another method to fix this!
It all starts with the air ventilation in your home. When was the last time you changed the filter? If you’re taking a while to answer that question, it’s a good idea to let us give you a hand! The air you’re breathing is only as good as what’s going through your HVAC system, after all.
3. Thermal Health
Fun fact: 1/3 of your life is spent in your bedroom. You can improve the health of your home by taking the time to make some changes to your room. As much as a freezing cold room feels great in the summer or how cozy a warm bedroom feels in the winter, the target temperature should be 65-70 degrees. This temperature helps tell your body that it’s time for bed.
You can also consider using a white noise device. Not sleeping in complete silence will lead to a quality 8 hours that will be interrupted. Sleep is one of the most key factors of health after all!
4. Moisture
Another factor to consider when giving your home a check-up is moisture. The first step here is to check for signs of water issues. If you spot mold growth, water stains, or warping – there's a problem! Consider a dehumidifier as a solution. Our friends at Carrier have a ton of options to choose from. The Performance Series Whole-Home Dehumidifiers quietly work hard to get rid of the humidity in the air.
A bonus of maintaining moisture is that you’ll be saving on utilities. Keeping humidity balanced is what your home needs to stay comfortable – and healthy.
5. Lighting and Views
Pull back the curtains and pull up the blinds... it’s time to uncover those windows! Natural light helps keep the circadian rhythm in sync. Your body will know that sunlight means it’s time to stay awake, and darkness is time for sleep. Keeping your circadian cycle in check will give you the amount of sleep you need to help you get through the day. If the cycle is disrupted by the usage of artificial light, then your memory and attention span will be impaired.
Let the sunlight in and keep the artificial light out! This does not exclude reducing the amount of time you are on your phone at night before bed. Allow your brain to prepare for sleep by taking away the exposure to artificial light – no more restless nights! Daylight exposure and access to windows throughout the day have been linked to improvement in health. You’ll surely notice a difference in your mood and health!
6. Safety and Security
We take safety seriously here at Henson Robinson Company, especially when we are on-site for jobs. However, safety does not just matter during working hours – it's critical for the health of your home as well.
You might not realize it, but the feeling of safety and security in your home plays an influence in the health of your household. When not properly equipped, our sense of security and safety in the home is threatened. This leads to a “fight or flight” response being triggered. That feeling releases stress-induced hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. In fact, this stress negatively affects the immune system. It’s a chain reaction. Arteries become damaged, plaque builds up, and hypertension or cardiovascular disease can occur. This kind of wear and tear on the body affects sleep, stress, mood, and more.
That’s a lot of negative health impact on something that can be prevented!
What can you do to add to the health of your home? Add safety and security measures such as:
- Enhanced fire and carbon monoxide detectors
- Escape ladders in every room on the upper level of your home
- A security system for peace of mind
7. Water Quality
You already know this, but we’ll say it again for emphasis... water is a very critical part of our lives. Does the water in your home have a cloudy look to it? A funny taste even? Or does it leave a gift of chalky residue behind?
If so, it is time to get a water sample test to see what contaminants are in your system. From strong chemicals to elements such as lead, it’s crucial to know what you’re consuming on a regular basis. Depending on your results, you need to contact a professional water expert to get their recommendation on a water filtration system that will work for your home.
Testing isn’t a one-and-done deal. You should have your water quality examined regularly. Doing so will ensure that all water flowing through your home is clean, and your family will be dept healthy and hydrated!
8. Dust and Pests
Remember the character Pigpen from Charlie Brown? The one with a cloud of dirt following him wherever he went? Well bad news... we are all like him.
As we go about our daily activities, we have a cloud of dust that follows us. We absorb this dust (and the dust from other people’s clouds) through inhalation, absorption though the skin, and ingestion.
Dust is continuously being moved and lifted throughout the house because of clothing, furniture and other upholstered materials. As each family member goes in and out of the house, dirt and dust is being tracked in.
It’s Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. that adults ingest up to 100 mg of house dust per day and children consume double that! (Gross, right?)
What can you do to help with this problem?
- Use high efficiency filter vacuums
- Clean surfaces regularly to limit accumulation
- Take off your shoes at the door
- Seal entry points to prevent pests from welcoming themselves home
There you have it – everything you need to know about keeping your home happy and healthy! Our friends at Carrier have come up with a range of products that improve the quality of the air inside your home. Want to take the next step towards making a healthy home for your family? We’re here to help!