How to Improve Indoor Air Quality: 6 Proven Methods for a Healthier Home

Did you know that indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air?

Poor air quality can trigger allergies, worsen asthma, and can even impact sleep! That’s why it’s essential to reduce indoor air pollution for a healthier home environment.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the condition of the air inside buildings. 

According to BSRIA, indoor air can be polluted by outdoor pollution, but also indoor sources and poor ventilation. 

Invisible pollutants floating around your home can cause poor IAQ which can be detrimental to your family’s health and wellbeing.

Common Household Pollutants that Affect Air Quality

• Dust mites
• Mould
• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Carbon dioxide
• Radon

Whether it's at home, work or school, studies show that we spend the majority of our time inside. 

The European Union found that, on average, people spend 85-90% of their time indoors - this means we're more at risk than ever of being affected by poor indoor air quality. 

Indoor air can affect your concentration, productivity and even your health! 

With research by The World Health Organisation (WHO) showing that exposure to poor indoor air quality can be linked to serious health conditions such as stroke, heart disease, COPD and lung cancer, and with up to 20% of the population living with asthma or allergies, it’s important to prioritise clean indoor air.

You may not even realise that your home has poor indoor air quality as sometimes it can be hard to spot! Here are some of the signs that can indicate air quality issues:

• Exacerbated asthma and allergy symptoms
• Condensation
• Musty odours
• Mould growth
• Flu-like symptoms – coughing, sneezing, etc.

So, how can we improve indoor air quality? Here are six effective ways you can improve indoor air quality naturally and with the help of systems. 

1. Keep your home clean - Regularly vacuum and dust to remove dust mites and other allergens. 
2. Increase ventilation - Open windows daily, use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, or install a Mechanical Ventilation System.
3. Control humidity levels - Maintain indoor humidity between 40-60% to prevent mould growth and allergens.
4. Prevent condensation & mould - Wipe away condensation, clean mould from surfaces and improve airflow in the house. 
5. Reduce indoor pollutants - Avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals, aerosols and burning scented candles. Instead, opt for non-toxic cleaning products and natural wax candles. 
6. Add houseplants to your living spaces - plants release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, helping to improve air quality. Some houseplants purify air by absorbing other pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The key to healthier indoor air is to keep your home clean and well-ventilated.

At BEAM, we're passionate about improving indoor air quality, and specialise in clean indoor air quality solutions. 

Our Beam Central Vacuum & Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) Systems are both considered essential for providing clean indoor air. 

A Beam Central Vacuum System is the most effective and healthiest way to vacuum - in fact, it's clinically proven to improve indoor air quality by up to 52%! 

With up to 5 times more powerful suction than a portable vacuum cleaner, the built-in system removes 100% of dust, dirt, pollen, pet dander and other allergens directly to the waste bin at the power unit. 

As the power unit is located away from the point of cleaning (usually in a garage or utility room) there’s no recirculated smelly, dusty, dirty air either! It also prevents pet dander and allergens from being stirred up, unlike portable vacuums which blow out air as they're moved from room to room. 

Attachments included with a Beam Central Vacuum to deep clean any surface:

• Premium Combi Floor Tool – this is the perfect tool for vacuuming any floor type. Effortlessly switch between hard floors and carpets with a flick of the handy toe switch.
• Dusting brush – the soft bristled round brush is gentle on furniture and glass, so you don’t have to worry about any damage when vacuuming.
• Upholstery brush – remove hidden dust from soft furnishings such as curtains, sofas and mattresses. The upholstery brush can also be used to clean pet bedding!
• Crevice nozzle – Ideal for tight spaces and tops of skirting boards, make sure every corner of your home is dust-free with the crevice tool.

An MVHR System from BEAM improves indoor air quality by constantly supplying clean, fresh air. The incoming air passes through G4 or F7 filters to remove insects, dust, pollen and other pollutants that contribute to poor IAQ. 

Simultaneously, stale, moisture-laden air is extracted by the system. As MVHR lowers moisture levels in the home, condensation is also reduced, and mould is eliminated.

In Ireland and the UK many homes are exposed to radon which has a negative effect on indoor air quality.

The UK government has estimated that in Northern Ireland, 155,000 homes are in radon affected areas. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas present in the ground that can seep into homes, and long-term exposure can lead to conditions such as lung cancer.

MVHR systems can help with the dispersion of radon by enhancing airflow throughout the home. BEAM’s MVHR Systems complete one full air change, every two hours to ensure optimum air quality.

By combining a Beam Central Vacuum and MVHR System, you can effectively remove indoor allergens, improve air circulation, and enjoy a healthier home. Investing in these indoor air quality solutions helps ensure fresh, clean air for life.