Research has long suggested that the air in the average American home might be worse than the air outside. There are many causes for this, and it doesn’t help that most homeowners don’t notice the pollution and very seldom open their windows to air out their homes. This is partly because most people depend on cooling and heating service and equipment to keep themselves comfortable.
But how can you tell if you have poor indoor air quality? Here are some signs to watch out for:
Allergic reactions and asthma flare-ups. People with allergies or respiratory problems such as asthma don’t fare well in polluted environments. If you notice that you or a member of your family is often coughing or sneezing when inside the house, your indoor air quality might be to blame. Common triggers include VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from some materials and paints, pet dander, dust, pollen, tiny insect carcasses and dead skin cells.
Colds and flu. Some symptoms of colds and flu can be traced back to poor indoor air quality. You might notice a change if you perform an indoor cleaning, use an indoor air cleaner with a HEPA filter or call a professional for air conditioning repair if your equipment isn’t functioning properly.
If you find yourself constantly cleaning because the dust never seems to end, it’s possible that your HVAC system is dirty and is blowing dust everywhere. It’s important to check your filters regularly and have your unit serviced by a professional.
Persistent odors. You know your indoor air isn’t fresh if the smell of food from last night’s dinner is still present in the morning. This is also true if you can still smell today the nail polish you applied yesterday. Have a professional check your indoor air exchange if you notice lingering smells.
The presence of mold and mildew. Even if you can’t smell them or have just become used to their smell, if you find mold and mildew in your home, this means your air quality is far from ideal. Have the mold and mildew removed by a mold remediation expert as soon as possible.
Odorless fumes. There are substances and fumes that might be present in your indoor air and you just can’t smell them. This is why it makes sense to install as many different detectors as possible. These small devices will alert you if there are dangerous fumes in your home, such as radon or carbon monoxide.
It’s also a good idea to avoid smoking indoors, as secondhand smoke is dangerous and can stay in the air for days.
To learn more about how you can eliminate indoor pollution and improve your indoor air quality, get in touch with Bill Reynolds Heating & Air Conditioning at (440) 946-7863. We also offer furnace installation and other related services. You can leave a message here regarding your project or any concerns you might have.
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