How is Your Air Quality? 4 Things to Look For in Your Home

Featured Image Caption: Woman Sitting Near Air Purifier and Moisturizer Appliance

The quality of the air inside your home can be a critical factor contributing to your comfort and health while inside your home. Poor air quality can result in various health issues, including respiratory problems and headaches, or set off and exacerbate already existing health issues. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to determine if your home’s air quality is up to par. Here are four important factors to consider when assessing the air quality in your home.

Temperature and Humidity Levels

One of the first things to assess is how warm your home is and how much moisture is in the air. Most homes should be kept at a temperature between about 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity should not exceed 50 percent. Keeping temperatures and humidity levels within these ranges will help reduce the presence of dust mites, mold, fungi, and other pollutants that can harm your home and air quality.

Airborne Allergens

The presence of airborne allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and pollen, while common, can drastically reduce the air quality in your home. Especially if you or any family members suffer from allergies or asthma. To combat this issue, it is recommended that you routinely vacuum carpets and rugs using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner; dust furniture with a damp cloth; wash bedding weekly; and replace furnace filters regularly. If airborne allergens still seem to be persistent issues in your home despite these measures, then it may be time to call an HVAC professional, someone like Home Heating Service, Inc., for assistance.

Indoor Pollutants

Chemical pollutants such as radon gas and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present another threat to the air quality within the home. Radon gas is especially concerning because it is odorless and colorless yet extremely carcinogenic. In other words, exposure over long periods of time can lead to cancerous tumors forming in the lungs. VOCs are found in many common household products like cleaning supplies and paints/varnishes; though not all VOCs are harmful per se, prolonged exposure could still cause serious health complications due to their cumulative effects on indoor air quality. The best way to tackle these issues is through regular testing by an experienced HVAC technician who will be able to identify any potential toxins inside your house with specialized equipment and make any necessary repairs or replacements right away before any further damage can occur.

Ventilation System Maintenance

Your ventilation system plays an integral role in keeping indoor air clean by circulating fresh oxygen throughout your living space while at the same time preventing contaminants from entering that space from outside sources like exhaust fumes from vehicles parked near windows or doors that open directly out into external environments (e.g., balconies). To ensure that your ventilation system works all year round optimally, especially during peak times of use like summer months when windows tend to stay open more often, it is important that you have it serviced regularly by an experienced professional who knows how to check things like fans for proper operation as well as ducts for clogs or buildup. Hence, everything runs smoothly without any surprises down the road (e.g., sudden spikes in energy costs due to poor efficiency).

Assessing the air quality in your home can be a significant step towards ensuring the health and safety of all those who live there. By paying attention to factors such as temperature and humidity levels, airborne allergens, indoor pollutants, and ventilation system maintenance, you can make sure that your home’s air is clean and comfortable. Consulting with an experienced HVAC technician can also be a great way to make sure that all of these factors are accounted for, and that your home’s air remains breathable and healthy.