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Keeping the air that we breathe in is extremely important, especially indoors.
This is why many property owners strive to improve the quality of the air in their rental properties. This has numerous benefits and is definitely noticeable by tenants.
However, some property managers don't even know where to start.
In this guide, we will be going over some of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality, as well as some of the best air purifiers to make sure the air stays clean and fresh.
So, to begin, let's talk about what causes air quality issues in residential properties.
What Are The Causes Of Air Quality Issues?
Before discussing ways to improve the air quality, we must figure out why it is having issues. Most of the causes of issues with air quality stem from either the indoors or the outdoors. Below, we have listed some of the potential causes of these issues from both inside and outside.
Indoor Sources
Here, we are going to be working from the inside out. One of the main causes of air quality issues is that the property itself is not clean. This means that there may be an excess of dust and dirt all over the property, lowering the quality.
Issues can also arise after excessive use of tobacco products within the property. These products can clog air filters and deteriorate the indoor air quality of a property. Other sources can include things like deteriorating asbestos, carpets, upholstery, or furniture. All of these can begin to deteriorate and worsen the air quality in a property.
Outdoor Sources
After checking everything off the indoor list, it is time to move outside. One of the things that cause air quality to deteriorate inside the property is pollen and other allergens from outside. When people walk into the property, their shoes and clothes bring in tons of allergens and bacteria. These foreign invaders can ruin the air in the property and make the lives of tenants miserable if not taken care of.
Properties may also have separate air filtration units outside of their home. If this is the case, it is essential that it has a high-quality air filter and that it is replaced regularly. Some of the different filters included in these units include:
- A High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA filter)
- Electrostatic Air Filters
- Activated Carbon Filters
...and many more. So, now that we know about some of the causes of air quality issues, let's go over why taking care of these issues is important.
Why Is Air Quality Important?
For some people, it may be difficult to realize why good air quality is so important. If no importance is given to it, there will be no solutions. However, the it is actually pretty important. And, it is legally required in some cases.
Below, we will discuss some of the reasons that air quality in properties is so important.
Health
One of the most important problems associated with poor air quality is health issues. Some of the specific health issues that are associated with it include respiratory illness, coughing, headaches, nasal illnesses, and so much more.
Now, obviously for the health issues to get to more of an extent, the air quality has to be really bad. Another factor is the amount of time that one spends around lower air quality. If someone spends a small amount of time around lower air quality, they may not notice any complications. However, for people who spend the majority of their lives in low air quality areas, there can be serious consequences.
Building Codes
Another reason that maintaining good air quality is important is that some buildings actually require it. In some cases, inspections can be conducted of the air within a property to decide whether it is acceptable or not. If the air is not high enough quality, the owner may be charged a fine or forced to face some other penalty.
These are the ways the air quality is important and some of the issues that can arise from it. Now, let's go over some of the benefits of maintaining good air quality.
The Benefits Of Higher Air Quality
It is important to know just what the benefits are of higher air quality. These benefits can vary depending on the severity, but there are two main benefits that stem from higher indoor air quality. These two benefits are:
- Better Experience For Tenants
- Better For The Environment
Below, we will go into more detail explaining why these two benefits are important.
Better Experience For Tenants
As a landlord, one of your top priorities is for your tenants to have an exceptional experience with your property. Having high-quality air helps you achieve just that. Since lower quality air can cause things like coughing and sneezing, removing the lower quality air can help prevent your tenants from suffering from any of that.
This is especially true if the tenants are prone to any illness. For tenants that suffer from asthma or any other similar illness, installing some sort of air purifier in the property can make a huge difference for them.
Purifying the air can also make the property smell cleaner and more fresh. This is always a pleasant smell and can attract more tenants when the property is being shown.
Better For The Environment
The air quality in and around your residential properties is also important because of the impact it has on the environment. Things like fuel-burning appliances and chemicals that are used within a property can easily transfer to the surrounding environment. Then, all the pollutants of the indoor air quality are released into the environment.
By cutting down on the number of pollutants in your property, you are also reducing the number of pollutants in the environment. But, how can you even lower the number of pollutants in your property?
In the next section, we will go over the top 5 best ways to improve the air quality in your properties.
Top 5 Ways To Improve Air Quality In Rental Properties
In this section, we will be reviewing the top 5 best ways to improve the air quality in rental properties.
1. Keeping The Property Clean
One of the most important things that can be done to improve the air quality in a property is keeping it clean. This may sound like a tedious chore for some, but it is essential to improving the air quality. Some of the most important parts of a property to continuously clean ar the carpets and the furniture.
When cleaning these things, it is recommended to use cleans, dusting pads, and vacuums. This way, the dirt and the dust particles do not continue spreading throughout the property.
For more information on rules for renters that can help keep the rental property clean, be sure to visit DoorLoop’s Guide On The Most Important House Rules For Renters.
2. Cleaning Air Ducts
Air ducts are the things responsible for distributing air all throughout the property. And, if these ducts are dirty or contaminated, they can be distributing polluted air to those in the property. For this reason, it is vital that the air ducts be cleaned regularly.
It is also important to not let dust and debris build up in and around these ducts. Once this happens, the air that goes in and out of rooms can be completely contaminated.
3. Keeping Humidity Consistent
Another important factor for maintaining high air quality is keeping the humidity constant. Many people don't realize the effect that humidity has on a property, but it is important to know.
For example, too much humidity can make the property feel much warmer. Thus, the tenant may be running the air conditioner more often. On the other hand, if there is not enough humidity, the tenant's skin may dry up and crack and their noses may bleed.
4. Conduct HVAC Inspections
If you have never done one before, it is important that you conduct at least one air quality test and HVAC inspection. These inspections give the property owner a full scope of all the problems in the property.
These are effective because they serve as an indication to the owner of what exactly needs to be done. This is especially important before spending any money on cleaning services and air purifiers.
5. Buying An Air Purifier
Lastly, and one of the most effective ways of purifying the air in a property, is by buying an air purifier. These devices vary in size, shape, and effectiveness. These devices take in the contaminated air of the property and spit out clean, fresh air.
There are also different filters that can be used that depend on your needs. For example, for someone with allergies, a HEPA filter may be the best choice. However, since there are so many different models and manufacturers to choose from, it can be difficult to choose one.
That is why we have included our top 3 picks for air purifiers for rental properties, just down below.
The Top 3 Best Air Purifiers For Rental Properties
In the table above, we are comparing 3 of the best air purifiers on the market right now, these being the:
- Winix 5300-2
- Coway AP-1512HH
- Dyson Pure Cool Link
Below, we will be giving each one a brief, specific review.
Winix 5300-2
Known as one of the best budget air purifiers, the Winix 5300-2 is as cheap as it is practical. With features like a timer, AQ light, and auto mode, this machine is very well balanced, especially for its price tag.
The 5300-2 also has impressive figures when it comes to coverage. Sitting at 360 square feet with only 5 air changes per hour, this device is sure to purify the air around some of your rooms in your property.
Coway AP-1512HH
Sitting at just a few dollars less than the 5300-2, the Coway AP-1512HH also performs very well for its price. Covering just over 360 square feet, the Coway is ideal for properties with larger rooms that need purified air.
However, one of the drawbacks of this model is that it is relatively loud at higher settings. This may make it less than ideal for meeting spaces or living rooms where there are normally a lot of people.
Dyson Pure Cool Link
Lastly, we have the Dyson Pure Cool Link. This particular model is more technologically advanced than the others, featuring a complete app where owners can keep track of the air in the home as well as the condition of the unit.
Although it looks tremendously futuristic, this device will run you at least $400, and the specs are not necessarily there to back it up. These operating costs, along with relatively low air cleaning performance, may not make this the best choice for those on a budget.
Conclusion
There are small changes that can be made on any property to create better air quality. These changes can improve various aspects of the property like the smell and appearance. So, as a landlord or property manager, you should really consider making some of these changes on your rental properties as soon as possible.
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