You probably spend at least 10 or 12 hours a day in your home, if not more. So it's very important that the air you're breathing when you are in your home is of good quality. If your indoor air is polluted or laden with allergens, you're more likely to experience asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues. Here's a look at three of the biggest threats to indoor air quality and what you can do about them.

Dirty Ducts

The ducts of your heating and air conditioning system can become a breeding ground for mold, spewing mold spores into the air each time you turn the heat on. Pet dander, dust, and other debris can also build up in you ducts, leading to a loss of air quality. If you can't remember the last time you had your ducts cleaned (or if you've never had your ducts cleaned, period) it's wise to call your HVAC company and schedule an appointment for this maintenance. The rest of your home will stay a lot cleaner once the ducts are clean!

Smoking

If you're still smoking inside, you can count on your indoor air quality being, well, horrible. Even once the initial smoke clears, particulate matter from the smoke resides on surfaces and gets kicked back into the air when the heat kicks on. Make this the year you finally quit smoking inside, if not all together. Installing a HEPA air filter in your furnace will also help block the smaller tobacco smoke particles that other air filters may let fly right through.

Cleaning Chemicals

Many conventional cleaning products release compounds called VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. These can have an array of negative health effects (including increasing your risk of certain cancers.) They're not great for the environment, either. Switch to cleaning products that specifically state "no VOCs" on the label. You can also use plain vinegar for many different cleaning tasks, from cleaning your windows to scrubbing the toilets. Baking soda works well and is a safe choice when you need some grit and scrubbing power.

If you are suffering from a lot of respiratory issues and think your indoor air quality might be to blame, reach out to your local HVAC company. They may be able to recommend a specialized filter or air cleaning system to meet your needs. However, having your ducts cleaned, banning smoking indoors, and changing to no-VOC cleaning products are still essential first steps to take.