3 Ways to Improve Air & Water Quality in Your Home

When it comes to  the elements that make a house safe and comfortable, none are as important as  air and water.  Poor air and water quality  can cause discomfort, damage your home’s structure, and even affect your respiratory  health.  Here are three easy ways to obtain  better air, better water, and better health:

1. Increase Ventilation

Proper ventilation reduces the concentrations of indoor air  pollutants and provides healthier air quality in your home.  Start by making the most of exhaust fans or opening windows when showering, cooking, or using the dishwasher in order to let moisture escape your home quicker.   If you have a garage, install an exhaust fan to the outdoors to prevent  car fumes from entering your home.  Make  use of ceiling fans that draw up and distribute cool air from the floor on  warmer days, and circulate warm air that collects near the ceiling on colder  days.

2. Use Water Softners to Combat Hard  Water

While safe and suitable for drinking, hard water, or water  containing high levels of calcium and magnesium, can still have its setbacks. Harder  water creates mineral build-up that can clog pipes and appliances and leave a  soapy film on bathtubs and shower tiles.   It can also be tough on your hair and skin, and deteriorate the quality  of your laundered clothing.

Try using a hard water conditioner that traps minerals during  the wash to soften your laundry and eliminate build-up on your dishes.  In the bathroom, use an easy-to-install soft  water filter on your showerhead to help prevent dry skin and reduce soap scum  build-up.  For a more complete solution,  consider installing a water softener system in your home.  This will not only benefit your skin,  laundry, and dishes, it will also help eliminate mineral deposits in pipes,  fixtures, and appliances.

3. Balance Humidity

If the air in your home is too dry or stuffy, it can  irritate your skin and cause respiratory problems.  On the other hand, too much moisture in the  air can cause mildew, dust mites, and other conditions that can trigger  allergies.  That’s why balancing humidity  is important.  Humidity is normally measured  by the amount of moisture in the air using a hygrometer.  As a rule of thumb, the recommended humidity  in your home should be between 30 – 50%*.

If the air in your home is too moist, a dehumidifier will  help prevent a damp environment and protect walls, floors, and furniture from  water damage.  If the air in your home is  too dry, a humidifier will add moisture and relieve dry skin and many allergy  and asthma problems.  It will also reduce  cracked paint and plaster occurrences, as well as prevent wood floors from warping.

*Canada  Mortgage and Housing Corporation.