Did You Know That a Simple Houseplant Can Improve IAQ?

Clean air is a premium product these days. From exhaust fumes to chemical based cleaning products, our homes and businesses often become closed air chambers of harmful microbes and allergens. Poor indoor air quality can lead to respiratory irritations and even diseases, yet the importance of clean indoor air is often forgotten.A good starting point would be to have your IAQ tested. Improving ventilation, improving circulation and installing an air purifier are commons ways of increasing indoor air quality. Did you know a houseplant can improve IAQ too?Mother-in-law’s Tongue, in Your BathroomBathrooms are often more enclosed than other rooms in your home. The bathroom's damp and usually dark and windowless environment make for harsh conditions for most plants. The Mother-in-Law’s tongue however is perfect for those conditions. This houseplant can improve IAQ in your bathroom as it thrives in damp and darker rooms.English Ivy, In Your Wash Room (or near your animal’s litter-box)If you have pets you have an additional source of potential air contamination. Some animals that produce waste indoors, for example in a litter-box or a cage, release bits of fecal matter into the air. If your washroom has a litter-box or your children have a pet rodent, add an English Ivy plant in the vicinity. Recent research shows that this houseplant can improve IAQ by removing a large amount of airborne fecal matter particles.Golden Pothos (Devil’s Ivy), in Your Car GarageTo remove the toxic fumes from car exhaust Devil’s Ivy is the plant purifier for the job. For this reason this houseplant can improve IAQ and is a great plant to put into your car garage to improve its air quality. Another benefit is that Devil's Ivy grows well in dark environments and will even retain its green leaves.There are many more ways to improve your IAQ. If you would like more information about improving IAQ contact Air Assurance. We are also able insure that your ventilation system is clean and help you change and install filters to further maintain a high IAQ in your home.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “KPG Payless2/Shutterstock”

Use Houseplants as a Natural Air Cleaner for Your Home

One of the simplest ways to improve air quality inside your home is to use houseplants as natural air cleaner enhancers. They are especially effective when used in conjunction with a good air filter in your HVAC system. 

Plants absorb various gases through their leaves, fueling growth. Plants have also been found capable of removing various volatile organic compounds such as benzene and formaldehyde. Benzene can be found in everyday products such as some plastics, fabrics and in cigarette smoke. Formaldehyde is a common component in cosmetics and detergents.

Plants also help remove carbon monoxide from the air.

Some of the harmful compounds given off by household products have been shown to trigger problems for people who are prone to asthma or have respiratory illnesses.

Plants absorb these gases through the surface of their leaves and roots, and trap them. This helps keep your indoor air cleaner.

Studies have shown that you can use most houseplants as natural air cleaner boosters, but some seem especially more suited to removing certain gases than others. Boston ferns, English Ivy, Japanese royal ferns, aloe vera and peace lilies are just some that have been shown to be particularly effective at removing unwanted compounds from the air.

For more expert information about indoor air quality, using houseplants as natural air cleaner or other home comfort related questions, contact Air Assurance. We have been providing quality service to Broken Arrow and the greater Tulsa area for more than 30 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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