Our natural inclination is to assume that the air inside our home is clean and healthy. The assumption is based on the fact that outdoors there is vehicular pollution, smoke from factories, etc. and these are not present indoors. Seldom do we realize that pollution does not simply exist of smoke and exhaust. Pollution, in a true sense, is all the unwanted elements that are present in the air. It can consist of viruses, bacteria, dust, dander, pollen, and numerous other things. To assume that indoor air quality is good is equivalent to being an ostrich which hides its head in the sand at the sight of danger.
Importance Of Indoor Air Quality
The quality of air that we breathe has a direct impact on our health. If we breathe in clean and healthy air, we are healthy. If we breathe in air laden with contaminants, our health fails. It happens because the contaminants enter our body and wreak havoc with our immunity.
Most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, especially now, when we are working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In such times, one cannot take the quality of indoor air lightly. It would be best if you are watchful and observant. There are prominent indicators that will let you know when the indoor air quality starts deteriorating.
To Wrap UpIs It Time For An Air Quality Test For Your Home?
We just spoke about indicators that point towards poor indoor air quality. When you encounter any one or more of them, it’s time for an air quality test for your home. But what are these signs or indicators? Fret not, for here’s what you need to look out for:
1. Dirty Surfaces Despite Frequent Cleaning – No matter how diligently and how often you clean the house, it still looks dirty. The surfaces are not clean and look as if they need dusting. It means that there is dust present in the air inside your house. As soon as you clean one area, the suspended particles settle to make it filthy within a couple of hours. If you’ve done a proper job, your house should not accumulate so much dust for at least a couple of days. The problem here could be that the insulation is not proper, air filters are clogged, some door or window is constantly kept open through which dust from outdoors comes and settles indoors, etc.
2. Frequent Illness In Family – If you feel that your family members are falling ill more often than before, the cause could be the falling indoor air quality. When the concentration of pathogens (illness-causing microorganisms) increases in the indoor air, it is natural for the residents to fall ill. One gets well, but because the immunity is low, they catch another illness or the next round of the same one. The cycle continues until concrete steps are taken to reduce their presence. Checking the air quality at such a time is always beneficial.
3. No Respite In Allergies – There are a plethora of allergens in indoor air. The common ones are pollen, dust, dander, smoke, and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), just to name a few. Some people are inherently allergic to one or more of them, and others may develop allergies due to age and poor immunity. If anyone in your family is sensitive to these elements, you will see that their symptoms improve outdoors, but indoors is an altogether different story. There is no respite, and they continue to feel miserable indoors. An improvement in the indoor air quality will do them wonders in controlling their sensitivity.
4. Dirty Registers And Air Filters – If the registers and air filters of your home’s heating and cooling system are visibly dirty, it is obvious that the indoor air quality is poor. It is because they are dirty; they cannot trap the impurities any further. Failing that, the pollutants have free reign in your abode. The reason behind dirty registers could be that you are not cleaning them. A good scrubbing of the registers will make them spic and span. Now, coming to the dirty air filters. They need to be changed every month. If not that, at least once in three months. If you are not doing that, you are taking a big risk with the indoor air quality.
5. Black Cotton-like Substance Growing Around Vents – Mold is a scary thing for any homeowner, mainly because it will cause health problems for sure. The black cotton-like substance growing around your vents is mold. It needs to be handled quickly and efficiently. Else its spores will become a part of your living space, causing serious health problems. When there is mold growth at home, testing the air quality is imperative.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
Some typical indoor air pollutants are:
1. Pollen from weeds, flowers, trees, and grass.
2. Dust and dust mites.
3. Mold, mildew, and mold spores.
4. Asbestos from recent renovations.
5. Dead skin, hair, and droppings of critters and animals.
6. Smoke from the kitchen, cigarette smoke, and that from other burning elements.
7. Fumes from paints, protective coatings, and cleaning agents (VOC’s).
Testing indoor air quality frequently is important in today’s time. Poor air quality is associated with bad health and falling immunity. On the other hand, good indoor air quality will keep you at the peak of good health. Thankfully there are monitors available in the market to monitor the quality of indoor air. Now maybe the right time to buy and install one for your home.
If you are concerned about the air quality in your home, contact the air experts at Aztil Air Conditioning. We shall conduct the air quality test for your home so that you can breathe easily and fret no more. Additionally, our experts will also guide you in maintaining good indoor air quality. We are committed to making sure that you lead a healthy life. Furthermore, we also take care of the heating and cooling system installed in your home, office, or building. You can also contact us for the installation, repairs, and maintenance of your HVAC system. To book an appointment, call us at +1-888-729-8452.