Top 5 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality for Remote Work
It’s no secret that the nature of work has changed dramatically over the past several years. While the standard 9-to-5 in-person job remains the norm for many, hybrid and remote work models continue to gain traction due to the flexibility and freedom they provide. However, this freedom also comes with the need to exercise a certain level of responsibility for maintaining a comfortable and healthy work environment.
Struggling with poor air quality while working from home is a common challenge remote employees encounter, but there are some simple ways to remedy the problem. Today, we’ll discuss the five best solutions for reducing indoor air pollution at home, why it’s important to do so, and how technology can help.
Identifying Common Indoor Air Pollutants
The presence of indoor pollutants may not always leave a visible trace, but contaminants in the air contribute to a variety of health problems. When indoor air quality is poor, it’s not unusual to experience sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, headaches, or respiratory issues. These symptoms may be caused by airborne contaminants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aerosols, pollen, carbon monoxide, or pet dander, or even allergic reactions to the presence of dust mites.
Another major culprit behind poor IAQ at home is mold growth. Various types of mold will produce a musty smell, and if the growth is extensive enough, you may notice dark blotches forming on the walls or ceiling.
1. Regular Maintenance: Change HVAC Filters
The first step to improving your indoor air quality when you're working from home is to stay on top of your HVAC maintenance tasks. This includes consistently changing out your air filters every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of filters you use.
Larger homes tend to require more frequent filter changes, so if you’re working from a sequestered office inside your home, it may be worthwhile to consider investing in a smaller, portable air-conditioning unit for your private workspace.
2. Ensure Proper Ventilation in Your Workplace
Airborne contaminants will build up more rapidly in smaller spaces like home offices, so it’s important to ensure your workspace receives the right number of air changes per hour for proper ventilation. Cracking open a nearby window can also help flush out contaminants that can undermine your health.
To further improve your IAQ, you may also want to direct a portable fan toward an open window for an accelerated ventilation rate.
3. Incorporate Air Purifiers for Cleaner Air
There are many air purifiers on the market today that are specifically engineered to remove harmful particles and contaminants from the air in your home office. Some air purifiers rely on high-quality HEPA filters, while others employ more sophisticated air purification technologies like electrostatic precipitators or UV light.
Different types of air purifiers excel at removing specific contaminants, and they come at a range of price points — so it’s important to carefully research the right option for your unique needs.
4. Create a Clutter-Free Workspace to Reduce Allergens
An untidy, cluttered workspace has a tendency to trap more dust, pet dander, and other allergens that can undermine your indoor air quality. In addition, clutter can obstruct your ventilation, especially if furniture or other objects are obscuring your air vents.
Keeping your home office clean is a simple but effective approach to improving your overall indoor air quality.
5. Implement IoT Technologies
New technologies are constantly providing new solutions to old problems, and improving indoor air quality is no exception. Thanks to the development of advanced Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, monitoring and controlling indoor air quality has never been easier.
At Attune, our comprehensive IAQ platform makes it easy for you to track contaminant levels in real time. You can even automate ventilation, humidity, or temperature adjustments as needed.
Our air quality monitoring solution tracks key parameters, such as CO2, CO, particulate matter, radon, chemical contaminants, and more, sending out notifications when levels exceed healthy norms. Our air quality monitoring platform also provides invaluable insights into the energy efficiency of your air conditioners and water usage, allowing you to make more informed decisions that can potentially save you money while improving your health.
Contact us today to learn how Attune can solve your indoor air quality concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions About IAQ
Why Is It Important to Have Good Indoor Air Quality?
Prolonged exposure to common indoor air pollutants can cause major problems for human health. Those who are older or suffer from pre-existing health conditions like asthma are at a particularly high risk from the negative effects of poor indoor air quality. If you’re working remotely from home, having good air quality in your workspace also protects the health of anyone living with you, including children and pets.
Why Is Air Quality Important in the Workplace?
Improving the air quality of your remote workplace will foster a healthier and more comfortable environment that’s free from unnecessary stress or distractions. In addition, improving your air quality will help remove viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens from the environment, reducing the number of sick days you need to take over time. With good air quality, workers are often more efficient, healthier, and happier.
How Can Poor Indoor Air Quality Affect Worker Productivity?
Poor IAQ affects workers' productivity and has a proven detrimental impact on the cognitive function of affected employees. Those who are exposed to unhealthy indoor air are far more likely to experience fatigue, headaches, and illnesses. Workers who are constantly exposed to poor indoor air quality are also more likely to have lower morale and greater levels of stress, both of which can further diminish their productivity.
There’s no need to tolerate poor indoor air quality in your remote workspace at home. Our IAQ monitoring platform makes it easy to visualize your indoor air quality with simple metrics so you can work with comfort and confidence. If you’re ready to make a change, our team at Attune is here to help.
