As 2017 gets underway, you’re becoming well acquainted with New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you concocted a personal resolution (or two). Or, you decided to focus on getting your Murphy, NC house shipshape this year. If that’s the case, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. First, let’s assume you’re taking steps to minimize your home’s hazards. That’s certainly a worthwhile way to spend your time and resources.

However, you might not realize that your home’s indoor air can also leave much to be desired. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency has designated indoor air quality as a primary environmental health hazard. Think about it: your home’s air contains dust, pollen, mold spores, and maybe even viruses. You’re especially at risk during the winter, when your doors and windows are tightly closed to keep out the cold. But here’s some good news: by adopting four easy-to-follow home maintenance strategies, you can greatly reduce dangerous lung irritants and improve your home’s air quality.

Keep Your HVAC System Maintained
Your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) System just seems to run itself. When you flip a switch or adjust the thermostat, the heat pump jumps into action and provides you with heated or cooled air on demand. In other words, you expect a lot from this essential home system.

Just like your car or truck, maintaining your HVAC system will help to protect this expensive piece of equipment – and might help to improve your home’s indoor air quality. So, change your system’s furnace and/or air conditioning filters regularly. In fact, during the peak heating and cooling months, change your filter every month. Stock up on filters so you can keep the preventive maintenance on track.

Use Adequate Ventilation Systems
When you cook up a batch of bacon, or fry some chicken for dinner, you don’t want to smell those leftover cooking fumes for hours. An above-the-stove range hood fan should vacuum up those smells and remove them from your kitchen. Next, quickly (and safely) dispose of the used bacon grease or cooking oil (but don’t wash it down the sink). Finally, wash or soak your frying pan and/or cooking pots so the smell of cooked food doesn’t linger in the house.

In the bathroom, install a powerful exhaust fan to remove unpleasant odors and unwelcome humidity. Ensure that the fan (and all ventilation systems) transport air to the outdoors – and not into your attic crawl space or gaps between ceiling joists. Note: If you aren’t comfortable installing the fan yourself, hire an experienced professional to complete the project.

Burn Real Firewood (not Synthetic Wood)
When you crank up your fireplace or wood stove, you look forward to soaking up the rustic ambience while you watch a show or enjoy a hot drink. Warming your toes would certainly be an added bonus.

Although you might be tempted to burn some super-convenient, low-debris pressed wood logs, make the decision to burn real firewood instead. By putting several nicely seasoned hardwood logs on the fire, you’ll avoid exposure to formaldehyde, a hazardous substance often found in synthetic wood products.

Stick to Low-VOC Interior Paints
If your remodeling plans include painting your home’s interior, plan to put low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints on your materials list. VOCs are harmful chemical substances emitted by varied gases and solids, including paints and lacquers. As you might expect, you should minimize your exposure to these nasty compounds, which have been linked to respiratory illnesses and memory problems.

To find low-VOC paints, browse the paint aisle in your local hardware and/or home improvement store. Chances are, you’ll see low-VOC products from several manufacturers. To make a better-informed buying decision, research your favorite brand’s paints before visiting the store.

Now that you have a plan to improve your Murphy, NC home’s indoor air quality, you’ve taken a step toward improving your family’s health. As an added bonus, you’ve also made your home a more pleasant place to live.

The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – ilovemurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team