As we spend a lot of time indoors, the inside and the surroundings of our house play an important role in our overall health. Modern day hermetically sealed construction reduces inside air exchange, thereby bringing down the acoustics and the heat. In addition to the heat of summer, there is the challenge of humidity, another important factor that can have an impact on health. Infections like viral fevers may be more susceptible in a low-humidity environment, while high-humidity environments result in other adverse effects. Technology such as air-conditioning and fans can harm our health even when we use them only for brief periods of time. Indeed, these common air-conditioning devices are known to be a source of bacteria and viruses in enclosed spaces.
Keeping our homes cooler in the summer and improving the quality of air is a natural way to go when going for indoor plants. By transpiring, plants cool the air around them, leaving it filtered and fresh, which in turn clears your house.
A lot of house plants have been found to absorb carbon dioxide into the air and emit oxygen. They are also known to lower ambient temperatures, while removing harmful toxins and adding to decor. Human health is also optimally served when plants maintain humidity levels within a specific range. Although you probably have a few plants around your home for aesthetic reasons, you may want to consider adding more of these plants to your home that can not only keep your home cool, but also rid the air of any toxins. A USDA estimate found that plants could lower air temperatures in an office by up to ten degrees. That’s according to Dr. Leonard Perry, a professor at the University of Vermont. Additionally, moisture released from these plants helps maintain 30 to 60 percent humidity levels within the human comfort zone, which prevents materials such as wood from cracking when dried out.”
Don’t wait. Try bringing some of these much desired plants into your home this summer and experience the difference. In addition to feeling cooler and more energized, you may also notice a significant improvement in your concentration and productivity levels.
Savvy home gardeners know that house plants boost the interior’s beauty and increase its value, but might not be aware of the economic benefits of indoor plants. Some of these benefits include reduced energy costs. It’s well known that outdoor plants promote energy conservation by keeping a house warm or cool, but many people don’t realize that indoor plants can help with energy conservation as well.
Indoor plants have the following main effects:
Increased Humidity
In warm weather, outdoor plants keep homes cooler by shading them. One healthy tree can cool a house more efficiently than ten air conditioners. The effect of house plants isn’t quite as dramatic, but they do contribute to reducing cooling and heating costs by adding humidity to the room.
Reduced Energy Costs
During the process of transpiration, moisture evaporates from leaves and the moisture is released into the air. This is both a great way to cool a room and also a great way to heat it, ironically. As much as ten degrees can be reduced in a hot room when moisture is released into the air by plants, according to the University of Vermont Extension. The opposite is true as described in an article by US News called “10 Ways to Save on Energy Costs This Winter” cool but humid rooms feel warmer as the moist air reflects heat better. Thus, in the winter, use plants and lower the thermostat to get the air nice and humid.
Other Reduced Costs
When used in the workplace, houseplants can reduce other costs as well. According to the University of Vermont Extension, plants can reduce illness in hospitals, schools and businesses by as much as 23 percent, which can reduce lost work, cost of replacing teachers, and health care related expenses. This may be due to the fact that many indoor plants help to reduce the amount of mold, bacteria, and toxins in the air.
House plants add beauty and value to an indoor space, but they may not be aware of their economic benefits. Some of these benefits include reduced energy costs. It’s well known that outdoor plants promote energy conservation by keeping a house warm or cool, but many people don’t realize that indoor plants can help with energy conservation as well.
Other Benefits of Indoor Plants
Additionally to reducing the temperature of your house and improving the quality of the air in your house, interior plants are also known to have the following benefits:
- Improved wellbeing by reducing stress and depression and increasing positivity
- Healthy air has a positive impact on our overall feeling of well-being.
- An energetic and peaceful mind leads to higher levels of concentration as well as better performance both at work and at home.
- Cleaning the air in the home or office accelerates the recovery from physical ailments and mental exhaustion.
- Good plants add to the beauty of your home interiors – well maintained plants make your interiors feel spacious, clean and well looked-after.
- Studies show that people prefer to occupy rooms with potted plants, therefore leading to better use of available space inside the house. The more plants you have in your house, the more likely it is that those spaces will be used more often.
- Improved image since interiors are perceived as being “more expensive” – this has more to do with perception and imagery, although research shows that interiors with potted plants are perceived to be more expensive than those without them.
Choices of plants
An outstanding air humidifier, Areca Palm is consistently ranked among the best house plants for improvement of the room’s surroundings. The trunk of the Areca Palm should be thicker than the top of the trunk. Palms less than 2 inches in diameter are hard to keep healthy.
Aloe Vera also lowers ambient temperatures, protecting people from high temperatures. In addition to this, the plant is also effective in removing formaldehyde from the air and improving indoor air quality. You need to plant Aloe Vera in well-drained soil and let it dry out between waterings.
A snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is an ideal bedroom plant. Usually, plants are known to take away Oxygen at night, but Snake plant does just the opposite. While you sleep at night, Oxygen is emitted, keeping your home at a cooler temperature. This plant is known to absorb toxic chemicals such as nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene and benzene. Snake plants thrive in low light environments, with minimal water requirements during the winter. Experts claim that a person needs between 6 and 8 waist-high plants to get optimal oxygen output. This plant, one of the most decorative interior plants, is a natural air purifier that helps to cleanse the indoor air of formaldehyde and other toxins. Some people call it the best of the bunch for air purification. This plant thrives in bright light and moist soil, but can also tolerate poor light and drought.
The Money Plant/Golden Pothos, also known as Devil’s ivy or Silver Vine, can easily outgrow its original allotted location with its evergreen leaves and multiplying stems. However, it is often cited as one of the best house plants for improving indoor air quality. The Golden Pothos could easily remove indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and carbon monoxide. Atnhuriums, Peace Lilies, Syngoniums and Spider Plants are among the best plants for humidification.
You should not linger outdoors too long because of the blazing summer heat, but rather take advantage of the coolness and freshness of well-aerated indoor accommodations.
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