It seems like everyone’s talking about indoor air quality or IAQ, but what do you really need to know as a homeowner? The bottom line is that if the air quality in your home is bad, you can suffer more health issues, particularly in the winter months when the flu, colds, and other respiratory issues are at their most rampant.
Why Is Indoor Air A Major Concern In The US?
Many people don’t know just how important good indoor air really is.
Can poor indoor air quality make you sick? You bet! We’re used to dealing with sore throats and respiratory problems in winter, but we don’t realize that it might be the air in our homes that’s compromising our immune systems.
In recent years, ICE Heating & Cooling has been focusing on IAQ more and more to keep our customers and their households healthy.
What Is Good Indoor Air Quality?
Air quality inside our homes can be worse than the air outside if we’re not careful. For a home to have excellent indoor air quality there needs to be good ventilation, adequate heating, and clean HVAC systems.
You should also keep an eye on the chemicals and cleaning agents that you bring into your home. Paint, varnish, pollen, and pet dander can all contribute to bad IAQ.
What Are The Symptoms Of Poor Air Quality?
You won’t see it immediately, but the health effects of bad IAQ can be severe, especially if people in your household include the elderly, children, or a person with pre-existing health conditions.
How do I know if the air in my house is making me sick? There’s no conclusive test, but here’s what you may be looking at if you have dirty indoor air.
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Respiratory problems, like wheezing and coughing
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Worsening of diseases, like bronchitis and asthma
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Reduced lung capacity
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Cardiovascular problems, including an increased risk of heart attack
Good indoor air quality in winter is vital to combat those typical winter complaints we all get like colds and flu.
Why Does Air Quality Get Worse Overnight?
The science is this: as it gets cold outside, the pollution is trapped nearer to the ground where we’re breathing it in.
The trick to good IAQ in winter is a balance between keeping your home warm and well-ventilated so that the dirty particles in the air can escape.
What Are The 4 Major Indoor Air Pollutants?
Many things can contribute to poor IAQ, but here are the 4 main culprits:
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Too much moisture in the air
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Volatile organic compounds like burning, cleaning products, and air fresheners
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Traces of radon, especially in the crawl space
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Carbon monoxide
How Can You Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Get Regular HVAC Maintenance
The best way to get good IAQ is to keep your HVAC system well-maintained. An old, dirty ductwork system keeps those nasty particles circulating through your home constantly. In addition to that, if it’s gotten damp, there may be mold growing inside your system. Mold spores can also have a negative impact on your respiratory health over time.
Treat Leaks Fast
Another thing to keep an eye on is leaks. Give our plumbing team a call to repair the leaks at the first sign of leaks because this contributes to moisture levels in the air, which leads to poor indoor air quality.
Heat And Ventilate Your Home Well
A warm home will have better indoor air quality because it’s not getting damp and moldy. Likewise, make sure your vents are in good shape so that clean air can flow freely. Give our team a call to install a better HVAC system accordingly to your budget and needs.
Ask Us About Fireplaces
Fires are a leading cause of bad indoor air quality, so ask us about installing a new one that keeps your air clean and fresh.
Don’t Forget Your Pets
We love ’em, but fluff and dead skin can cause their own issues with your IAQ. Regular grooming keeps more fur, skin, and saliva out of your air. A lint roller can be a good investment too, and you should wash your pet’s toys and bedding regularly.
ICE Heating & Cooling Is The Best Choice If You Want Fantastic Indoor Air Quality In Winter, And All Year Round!
You’re right to make IAQ a top priority. Protect your household health today by calling the ICE team at (702) 820-2184 or by emailing us. One of our trained specialists will be right over to advise you on how we can improve the air quality in your home.
Read more on our website about how we can help your indoor air quality.
