Indoor air quality issues aren’t always obvious. Many develop slowly and silently, affecting everything from your comfort to your family’s health and the longevity of your home. While you might scrub floors and dust surfaces, some homeowners forget about unseen pollutants. Other areas like moisture levels and ventilation gaps allow particles to recirculate every day. These issues can lead to allergy symptoms, worsened asthma, and increased strain on your HVAC system. Taking care of them sooner rather than later helps you take care of your home and family.
Pollutants that build up indoors
Almost everything you can smell, see, or touch is made of particles. Those particles include natural and artificial gases and matter you can’t see floating through your indoor air every day. Outdoor pollutants find their way inside too, but your indoor air quality can become 2–5 times worse than outdoor levels due to daily activities like cooking, cleaning, and new furniture or carpet.
Your indoor air contains ad mix of natural and man-made contaminants.
Some common pollutants are:
- Fine particles: Smoke from cooking, fireplaces, candles, and particles stirred up by everyday activities can infiltrate your indoor air.
- Gases: Household cleaners, air fresheners, and components of your home’s building materials release gases you may breathe every day.
Volatile organic compounds and off-gassing
Off-gassing is the process by which VOCs are sent into the air from paints, glues, and even new furniture or flooring. New construction or updates in your home can impact indoor air quality for weeks or months depending on the products and materials used. While many of these building materials and finishes cause short-term irritation for some occupants, others have reported long-term health risks.
Think about the last time you painted a room or installed that new flooring. Once the paint or flooring has dried or cured most people assume the process is complete and air quality returns to normal. Yet some homeowners may dismiss the headaches, eye irritation, or odors as they settle into their reconfigured spaces. Taking steps to use low emission products and ventilating while working and after can help limit the VOCs in your home.
Moisture and biological contaminants
As soon as moisture enters the air, mold, bacteria, dust mites, and pet dander grow in number. Indoor air can become more humid than outdoor air during certain seasons or activities. Homes with high humidity, water leaks, or overflowing HVAC drip pans provide the perfect environments for biological pollutants to thrive.
Outdoor humidity levels vary based on the weather. Indoor humidity levels should remain between 30 and 50 percent for optimal comfort.
Did you know that moisture also attracts dust mites? Dust mites are a leading allergen for many homeowners.
HVAC systems can be a hidden contributor
Your heating and air conditioning systems do more than regulate temperature. Without proper filtration or routine maintenance, they can spread pollutants all over your home. Dirty filters allow particles to enter equipment and your living spaces. Pollutants settled on un-cleaned coils and in ductwork get blown through your vents.
Regular heating and cooling service allows technicians to keep an eye on these components, as well as your overall airflow. Salmon HVAC can help homeowners identify areas where ventilation may be limited, components allowing moisture into the system, or filter upgrades that help limit the number of particles recirculating through your home.
Ventilation gaps homeowners overlook
While building homes to be more air-tight helps increase energy efficiency, they also trap indoor pollutants inside. Carbon dioxide levels, humidity, and chemical vapors accumulate when your home doesn’t have enough ventilation. Exhaust fans help, but some homes have gaps in ventilation they may not realize.
Introducing fresh air into your home helps ventilate your space. Some ways include:
- Using exhaust fans when cooking or showering.
Health signals linked to poor indoor air
If there’s one silver lining to indoor air quality issues, it’s that your body will let you know something is wrong before you know there is a problem. Waking up to congested or stuffy air, eye irritation, headaches, tiredness, or stepping outside and seeing immediate improvements in asthma symptoms can be signs of indoor air quality troubles. Odd drafts, inconsistent temperatures between rooms, or musty smells coming from vents are dead giveaways. Dust accumulating too quickly, despite regular cleaning, can also mean it’s time to look closer.
Children, older adults, and people with asthma or respiratory conditions can be impacted sooner due to their increased sensitivity to air quality issues. Chronic exposure to poor indoor air quality can contribute to respiratory disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disturbances.
Practical steps to improve indoor air quality
There are many ways to ensure your indoor air quality is up to par, and they don’t all require renovations. Filtering your heating and air conditioning system on schedule and keeping your outdoor unit clear of debris are easy first steps. Tackling leaks or excess moisture quickly can prevent mold and mildew issues before they start. Using exhaust fans, purchasing low emission products, and controlling humidity can also make a big impact.
If you have specific rooms you want to target or need help determining your home’s filtration needs, air cleaners with HEPA filtration can help. Ensure filters are compatible with your HVAC system and don’t restrict airflow by having a professional inspect your heating and cooling system annually.
A proactive approach pays off
We know indoor air quality can seem overwhelming, but it’s an important part of keeping your home maintained. While some indoor air quality problems can be seen, many aren’t noticeable until they become large problems. Focus on ventilation, controlling moisture, and HVAC system maintenance to prevent future issues.
Improving your indoor air quality can also help your family feel better and perform better while inside your home. Your comfort this winter and beyond will thank you!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1:Do indoor air quality problems get worse in winter?
A:Due to how tightly homes are sealed during the winter months indoor air quality can decline. Fortunately, utilizing your ventilation system and avoiding activities that can worsen air quality like smoking indoors can help.
Q:2Do Air Purifiers help?
A:Depending on your air purifier, they may or may not use HEPA filters. True HEPA filters can help trap small particles that your regular HVAC system may miss.
Q3:Should I keep my HVAC fan on all the time?
A:Your fan should not be running all the time. Your fan only needs to run when your heating and cooling system is actively heating or cooling your home.
Q4:Why does my house feel stuffy?
If your home only has heating and cooling and no ventilation, stuffiness can occur. Your home may also feel stuffy if you have a humidity problem or don’t have your HVAC system serviced annually.
Q5:Do Air Purifiers use a lot of electricity?
A:Look for air purifiers that have a minimum electricity use of 50 decibels. ENERGY STAR rated air purifiers can also help you save money on your electric bill.