Testing indoor air quality

It may be surprising to learn, but the air in your home can potentially be the most polluted air you interact with; so testing your indoor air quality is essential to your health. Since people can spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, there is a lot of opportunity to be exposed to poor indoor air quality.

The chronically ill, elderly, and children are often the most susceptible to indoor air quality in your home. Even if you are not experiencing chronic illness, you may have problems related to indoor air quality like fatigue, respiratory distress, and fever.

There are a number of potential pollutants that can contribute to poor indoor air quality including mold, pet dander, chemical pollutants, tobacco smoke, and dust mites, amongst other particles.

If you are experiencing respiratory ailments it may be time to consult an HVAC specialist about upgrading your home’s air conditioning system to improve home air quality.

An indoor air quality monitor can also reveal the amount of pollutants in your air, so that you can take steps to improve air quality.

What contributes to poor indoor air quality

Poor indoor air quality can come from a number of sources. There may be chronic contributors to home air pollution, as well as unique events that will worsen air quality periodically.

For example, if you have your home remodeled, you may see a sudden rise in dust particulate in the air. While leaks in your home can lead to chronic mold and mildew.

Appliances in your home give off chemical pollutants that can build up in your home over time. For example, your home furnace gives off a small amount of carbon monoxide.

Even things as simple as house hold cleaning products, candles, and air fresheners contribute to chemical pollutants in your air.

While there is no way to completely avoid releasing pollutants into your air, ventilation plays a big part in how that pollution effects you. If there is poor ventilation in your home, pollutants will build up and can cause health problems.

Biological contributors to poor air quality

Mold

Mold and mildew can have a noticeable effect on physical health. If you are experiencing fatigue or sudden respiratory problems, it may be worth inspecting your home for hidden sources of mold.

Mold develops in moist areas that can develop because of leaks or condensation build up. Often the first and most noticeable signs of mold is a foul smell.

While you may be tempted to cover the scent with air fresheners, don’t ignore it. A little moisture leak can lead to big problems down the line.

You can purchase a mold testing kit at your local hardware store to check for mold spores if you are unsure.

Bacteria

Similarly to mold, bacteria will breed in moist areas. It’s best to keep your home’s indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent to prevent the development of harmful bacteria in ventilation systems.

If you find you need a humidifier, be sure to change the water daily as bacteria can breed quickly in these small appliances.

You can also test air quality with simple bacteria testing kits that can be purchased at home improvement stores.

Testing air quality in your home

Indoor air quality testing is an important safety task for every homeowner. Since we spend so much time in our homes, the air quality is paramount to our health.

Indoor air contaminants are largely invisible, so without proper testing there is no way to know if you are at risk. An annual indoor air quality assessment will give you the opportunity to test your home for common pollutants and adjust your ventilation system as needed.

Air quality monitors are available in a range of prices to keep track of the particulate matter and chemicals in your air. As a homeowner it is worth investing in one to keep your family safe from noxious chemicals.

Ventilation in your home

Proper ventilation is a key part of improving your home’s indoor air quality. It’s a good idea to meet with a technician and discuss ways you can improve ventilation in your home.

This is especially important if you use appliances that give off toxic gasses. Open windows often and use fans and vents to facilitate moving fresh air into your home.

If your home uses a wood stove, you should be sure to purchase brands that carry the Energy Star label and ensure you keep your flue clean and open.

The role of maintenance in air quality testing

Properly maintaining your appliances is another key element to improving air quality. Have your HVAC system inspected annually to ensure your system is functioning properly. Refrigerant leaks, collected moisture, and clogged filters can lead to excess particulate matter in your air or mold growth.

Testing your air quality in your home can also give you clues that there are problems with your HVAC system. Excess moisture, leading to mold growth can be a sign you have a leak somewhere or your air conditioner coils are freezing.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

An experienced HVAC technician will be able to guide you in the right direction if you are unsure about your indoor air quality testing. Professional tests are often more expensive, but more accurate, so if you are experiencing an acute problem, don’t be afraid to reach out.

Your indoor air quality is important to your health. Exposure to chemicals and molds can cause sickness over both the long and short term.

If you are a person who already experiences allergies or respiratory conditions like asthma, the condition of your HVAC system is even more important to your well being.

While the Environmental protection agency has some ways you can reduce indoor air pollution yourself, a technician will have the experience to make choices unique to your conditions.

Be sure to work with a professional technician like the ones at bhild.com. Call us today, or fill out our form here for a free estimate on HVAC services!