Clean air is vital to good health. On average, a person takes approximately 24,000 breaths each day, and spends close to 75% of their lives indoors. But did you know that indoor air is often polluted two to five times worse than outdoor air?
To help you assess the air quality inside your home, HVAC repair experts here share six noticeable signs that your home has poor air quality and solutions for getting rid of bad air:
Excessive Accumulation of Dust
While dust is a normal occurrence in the average home, excess amounts are a sign of bad indoor air quality. A simple way you can reduce dust in the home, especially if you suffer from allergies or have pets, is to change your bedding at least once a week, vacuum regularly and use damp cloths to wipe down surfaces.
Uneven Air Humidity
A healthy air humidity level is between 40% and 60%. High humidity promotes bacterial growth, and worse, mold, which releases airborne spores, another common allergen, while low humidity levels mean viruses can survive longer and spread more readily. To ensure that your home has an average level of air humidity, make sure that any necessary air conditioning repair is carried out promptly.
Triggered Allergic Reactions and Health Conditions
Many pollutants and allergens can enter your lungs and trigger allergic reactions. Whereas dry conditions can lead to dryness of the throat and skin and increase the chance of catching a cold or the flu, there are also passive effects like restlessness, fitful sleeping and snoring, which leave you feeling tired and vulnerable. Certain groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with conditions like rhinitis and respiratory allergies need to be even more mindful.
Worsening Health Problems
Another sign of poor indoor air quality is new or worsening health issues. For example, if your ordinarily mild allergy symptoms suddenly become unbearable, it's time to check your home air quality. Getting a whole-home air purifier installed can help keep your indoor air clean. If you're noticing dry air, a whole-house humidifier can help improve your comfort too.
Dirty Ductwork
Take a look at your vents. Are they covered in dust? If so, it's time for a duct cleaning. While your HVAC filters are designed to trap dirt, your ducts still accumulate dirt and dust over time. Ductwork is how air gets from your units to your home. So whatever is inside your duct is what you're going to breathe, thus proper and timely cleaning should be performed.
Bad Or Stale Smells
No one's house always smells like a bed of roses, but if your home has a bad smell, it could be a sign of poor indoor air quality. It's easy to get used to bad odors in your own home. A good tip is you step outside for a few minutes then come back in. if you notice a musky, stale or just unpleasant odor, it could be an indication of a poor indoor air quality.
Reach out to Stone Heating and Air for professional HVAC replacement services. Give us a call at (541) 855-5521 or fill out our contact form to set up a consultation.