The Science Behind IAQ and Its Effects on Your Health

We often think of pollution as being a problem outside of our homes. Many homeowners fail to realize that poor indoor air quality can have a significant negative impact on their health. A professional HVAC specialist can perform indoor air quality assessments to determine which HVAC adjustments and upgrades need to be made to improve the air inside your home.

Common Reasons Homes Have Poor Indoor Air Quality

Taking control of your home’s indoor air quality starts with understanding how various contaminants affect it.

Formaldehyde is often found in upholstery, carpets, and other various types of consumer products. It is extremely dangerous and can be hazardous to your health by emitting harmful chemicals into the air.

Pesticides are excellent for killing certain types of pests and insects, but they can lead to poor indoor air quality when you use them inside your home. The residue from pesticides can easily spread across your entire home and stick to everything from the floor to the ceiling and walls. You should limit your use of them.

Household cleaning items are a common cause of poor indoor air quality. Various types are prone to aggravating allergy and asthma symptoms, making it pertinent to check the ingredients of the products you choose to use.

How Does Poor Indoor Quality Affect Your Health?

It’s imperative to understand that the effects of poor indoor quality vary from one person to the next. However, people suffering from allergies or asthma tend to endure the worst symptoms. The side effects of poor indoor air quality most times manifest themselves over an extended period. Common symptoms that can arise from poor indoor air quality include:

• Sleepiness
• Mental fatigue
• Sneezing
• Irritated throat
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Stuffy nose
• Skin rash
• Dizziness
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Dry skin
• Coughing
• Respiratory issues

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, ask yourself these questions:

• Do you only notice the symptoms when you enter a certain room in your home?
• Do all of the people living in your home experience the same symptoms?
• Do the symptoms tend to ease or go away when you leave your house?
• Do symptoms of allergy and asthma sufferers worsen when they enter your home?

Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Speak with an HVAC specialist to learn about the vast selection of home air purifiers available. Your home can be carefully assessed to determine which air purifier is best suited for it. Opening windows and allowing fresh air to flow through the rooms also is an excellent way to circulate bad air out of your home.

You can also speak with an HVAC specialist about upgrading your current unit with an air filtration system that removes airborne contaminants and pollutants. An HVAC professional also can provide guidance on installing a humidifier or dehumidifier to regulate indoor humidity levels, which is particularly important when trying to improve indoor air quality.

Poor indoor air quality can be detrimental to your health, causing issues from worsened allergy and asthma symptoms to increased fatigue and headaches. By consulting with an HVAC specialist, you can easily improve the quality of air inside your home.