Every day when we go out, there are unavoidable risks of poor outdoor air quality that can affect our health. The last thing you want is for your home to also have poor indoor air quality. It’s important to understand why IAQ is important for you, your family, and your home.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is the air quality inside a building or home, and it’s been found to be strongly connected to our health and well-being. We spend more time indoors than outdoors, so we expect our indoor air to be of top quality. Indoor air pollutants can come from poor building materials and mechanical devices, as well as tobacco products, household cleaning products, and bodily fluids that can have viruses and germs that can spread.
Indoor air pollutants can have an impact on your health, which you may notice immediately or later.
Some health concerns you may notice with poor IAQ are:
- Headaches
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Allergic Reactions
- Respiratory Diseases
- Heart Disease
- Cancer
- Asthma Complications
- And More
Knowing how to control indoor pollutants can help reduce any risks of indoor health concerns.
Checking your air filter to see if it’s dirty is one way to improve your indoor air quality. A dirty filter can not only reduce the airflow but also not catch any of the harmful particles that it should. Talk with your HVAC specialist about when you should change your filter since each unit is different. An HVAC specialist can also install and offer higher quality filters that can work as effectively.
Having your air ducts checked is also another way to improve your indoor air quality
Throughout the year, air ducts distribute hot or cold air throughout your home. Over time, they can accumulate dust, dander, and even mold, which can reduce the overall quality of the air. Having a professional inspect and clean your air ducts can provide clean air in your home.
The kitchen is an area of the house that can harbor indoor air pollutants. A gas stove can release harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide. Even electric burners can have the same pollutants but at a lower level. It’s important that when you’re cooking you have the kitchen vents on or open the window to filter out the air. Not ventilating the air can harbor harmful chemicals that can affect your health.
We expect our indoor air quality to be clean all the time, but sometimes it can get dirty easily. Knowing how to monitor and keep an eye out for any changes in your health and surroundings can help you avoid things getting worse. If you need assistance improving the air quality in your home, Omni Air HVAC can assist you. Our HVAC specialist can recommend and install filters or any equipment that can improve your safety and comfort.