8 of the Top 10 “Homeowner Pet Peeves” are Related to Home Air Quality
Many homeowners can understand the pains of keeping their home comfortable. From cleanliness to lighting to security, there are many important things that contribute to it, and no doubt air quality takes a huge chunk of what homeowners worry about.
A recent survey identified the top 10 home pet peeves many people experience and 8 of them were related to home air quality.
Here, we have listed them and shared potential do-it-yourself solutions to your biggest problems.
#8. Your basement is damp
A damp basement is a common occurrence among households. It can be due to water leakage or humidity, but regardless of where it comes from it can still make it reek of mildew and is mold’s greatest growing climate. Not very ideal for anybody who uses their basement as a storage area, bedroom, or mudroom.
The solution:
- Seal cracks and holes in your walls with hydraulic cement.
- Add a waterproof coating to your walls, over the hydraulic cement patches. Use two coats
- Add a gutter and downspout to direct water away from your home. Allow a 4 to 6-foot extension
#7. It’s stuffy
After coming home from a long day of work the last thing you need is to suffocate in your home from lack of ventilation or fresh air. You’re torn between opening your windows and letting your precious cool air escape (more on that later) or giving yourself an opportunity for a breath of glorious fresh air. You’ve tried what seems like a laundry list of solutions but to no avail. What gives?
The solution:
- Open the windows when the sun goes down and it’s no longer the hottest part of the day and turn off the A/C
- Open windows on opposite sides of the room or house for a few hours to create a “wind tunnel” effect.
- Clean your home by vacuuming, dusting, and rotating your bedroom blankets
- Don’t forget to regularly check air filters. Even filters that advertise 90 days, often need to be changed more often.
#6. It smells, and you don’t know why
This one speaks for itself. No amount of Febreze can attest to its commercials, candles risk a fire, and plug-in air fresheners either take up outlet space or just don’t work. And it’s not like you leave a can of tuna open or your son’s football practice laundry out, you simply don’t know what it could be.
The solution:
- Deep clean your house
- Use vinegar or other tried-and-true cleaning mediums to your dishwasher, clothes washer, sink dispenser, etc.
- Shampoo the carpet or get it professionally cleaned
- Wipe solid surfaces– most modern furniture has a finish that holds smells
- Vacuum your upholstery
- Check your air vents for mold
#5. Your windows are sweaty
Your windows are keen to having a layer of condensation on them, and while it might make sense to blame your windows, the culprit is more than likely the moisture in your air. This could be a huge pain when the paint around your windows begin to peel or mold accumulates between the panes, meaning you’ll constantly have to keep an eye on them.
The solution:
- Run your ventilating fans longer or more often
- Shut off any and all humidifiers
- Change your bedroom sheets, curtains, and other fabrics that hold moisture
#4. The air is too dry
There are few things more soothing than watching the winter snow caress the ground from the warmth and security of your home. But when that cold, bitter air seeps in and pulls the moisture from your skin, throat, and eyes it can leave you quite miserable. It can strip the moisture from any of your wood furniture, leading to nasty cracks and an ugly finish.
The solution:
- Invest in a humidifier for either your whole house or purchase them for individual rooms
- Keep the humidifier between 30 and 50% to prevent mold or mildew
- Regularly change the water
#3. Your utility bills are too high
Bills are already a pain in the neck for most people at one point or another; it’s something we all expect and can handle. But when things get a bit out of hand we shouldn’t have to break the bank to keep up with our basic utilities. When trying to regulate your house temperatures, it’s easy to forget how much that can contribute to that nasty bill by the end of the month.
The solution:
- Close the shades of your windows to keep sunrays from heating your home
- Turn your thermostat up while you are at work
- Switch to energy efficient lightbulbs
- Unplug appliances when not in use (and always look for more opportunities to unplug)
- Regularly change your air filters to maximize circulation efficiency
#2. Dust, pet hair, and dander seem totally unavoidable
Dust is inevitable. It’s a natural way of life and we’ve got any choice but to live with and make it better.
The solution:
- In addition to common cleaning, invest in air filters
- Spend 2 minutes a day to remove pet hair from carpets or couches
- Use a rubber glove to collect hair
#1. It’s freezing in one room and a sauna in the next
This is the number one pet peeve of households, and for very good reason. For some, it might be far more than just a cute little pet peeve but a downright problem. When you crank up the air conditioner for salvation from the hot summer days but your top floor– the bedroom floor– is so hot that it makes sleeping difficult, it can be unbearably frustrating.
The solution:
- Close dampers and flip vents closed in rooms that receive the most airflow
- Understand that some rooms that have ducts that have too many turns simply might not have enough airflow
- If this doesn’t work, you might want to consider hiring a professional to look for leaks in your ducts.
Every issue is unique in itself and in every different household. If your problems still persist after trying these solutions, your house, and your comfort are not doomed. There are many other options you can look at, but your home might be in need of an inspection by HVAC experts. Don’t hesitate to call– your family and guests will thank you for it.
Are you ready to alleviate these problems?
