There’s nothing quite like a breath of fresh air. However, it’s a lot more common than you think for Florida homeowners to step inside their homes and feel like the air just isn’t quite as refreshing as the air they breathe outside. That’s why indoor air quality products have become so popular.
The air quality you experience inside your home can be just as clean and fresh as the air you breathe outside. You might just need to invest in some indoor air quality products to get there.
We’re here to run through the in’s and out of indoor air quality, the products you can use to improve yours, and some additional tips to help you!
What Affects Indoor Air Quality?
A good place to start is with an understanding of what things affect indoor air quality. Sometimes knowing the source can make all the difference when it comes to figuring out how to improve the air quality in your home. Here are some of the typical pollutants you might need to be concerned about:
- Molds
- Pesticides, asbestos, and lead
- Combustion by-products (particulate matter, environmental tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide)
- Substances of natural origin (pet dander, radon)
- Ozone
There are also several indoor sources that can come from inside buildings. Here are some of them to look out for:
- Wood and coal heating
- Cooking appliances
- Fireplaces
- Tobacco
- Cleaning supplies
- Paints
The last category of sources that can affect indoor air quality is outdoor sources.
- Contaminated water or soils that can re-enter your home
- Outdoor air pollutants that enter through open windows or cracks
- Chemicals in the water supply
- As people come in, they can bring soil and dust with them on their clothing and shoes
Why Does Indoor Air Quality Matter?
Now that you know a bit more about what sources can affect indoor air quality, why does it really matter? Why should you be concerned about improving the air quality in your home?
Perhaps the most important reason to have good indoor air quality is for good health. We spend a lot of time indoors whether it’s as we’re working throughout the day or sleeping at night.
There are plenty of health issues that can arise if indoor air quality isn’t at its best. That could be headaches, allergies, fatigue, or eye irritation. Things like carbon monoxide can interfere with the delivery of oxygen through the body and cause dizziness, weakness, and nausea.
If you begin to notice these sorts of health conditions arising then it may be time to get your indoor air quality tested, along with seeking medical help. You’ll want to do whatever you can to improve the air quality in your home and avoid having polluted air have an effect on you and your family’s health.
How to Check Your Indoor Air Quality
If you’re feeling like the above sources could be polluting your home and negatively impacting your air quality, then you likely want to check your indoor air quality. Here are some tips for doing just that!
- Use an indoor air quality monitor: One of the most inexpensive ways to test your air quality is with an air quality monitor. You can monitor the levels of indoor air pollutants inside and work to get fresh air back into your home.
- Evaluate your health symptoms: Tracking your health symptoms over a couple of weeks is a good way to determine if air quality could be the problem. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms you may be experiencing.
- Look at carbon monoxide and radon levels: These two substances can be super dangerous which makes it extra important to monitor them.
- Purchase an air purifier: A good place to start if you notice poor air quality is by purchasing an air purifier. An air purifier can help to remove particulate matter from the air and help clean it.
- Get help from a professional: While you can take the steps above on your own to check your indoor air quality, it’s always a good idea to get help from a professional. They have the skills and expertise needed to check your air quality and provide you with a solution for improving it if need be.
Indoor Air Quality Products to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
What are some of the indoor air quality products that can be used to improve the air quality in your home? Here are some you might expect a professional to recommend!
Humidity Control
When the air inside is dry you might find that you have trouble breathing or that your skin and eyes become itchy. However, if there’s too much moisture in the air it can leave your room feeling a lot hotter than it really is. That’s why humidity control and finding the perfect balance of moisture in the air are so important.
Adding a humidifier or dehumidifier to your HVAC system is a common solution to these problems. They can be installed to work with your cooling and heating systems so humidity stays controlled throughout your home.
Air Cleaners
When you want healthier, cleaner air, an air cleaner is definitely the way to go. This technology removes airborne particles from the air and makes it easier to breathe.
It’s also generally pretty easy to incorporate an air cleaner into your existing HVAC system with tons of different options to choose from when it comes to type and preference.
Ventilators
You need to have proper ventilation in your home in order to minimize harmful contaminants and increase the quality of your air. Ventilators are made to help get rid of any stale air that exists in your home, make the air fresher and easier to breathe, and reduce unwanted odors.
One of the best things about ventilators is that they’re inexpensive. They’re also relatively easy to install and can make a big difference!
Filtration
Filtration is also a great way to improve the air quality in your home. You might try disposable filters in order to replace them overtime or go for a reusable option that can trap more bacteria, pollen, and dust.
Regardless of the filters you choose, they’re known for being relatively easy to maintain and to access when you need to.
UV Lamps
UV lamps are fantastic for helping to get rid of bacteria and mold build-up that happens over time. Like filters, UV lamps are simple to maintain and just need to be replaced from time to time.
Additional Tips for Improving the Air Quality in Your Home
Now that you’ve got some knowledge under your belt when it comes to the air quality in your home, here are a few takeaway tips!
Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up
One of the best ways to get great air quality is to schedule regular maintenance on your HVAC system. When your air conditioner is taken care of it will not only cool your home down but will help to reduce extra moisture in the air as well.
If not properly maintained, you may experience unwanted bacteria and mold growth.
Maintain Your Air Ducts
Your air ducts are also something you should perform regular maintenance on. They help to pump out fresh air into each room in your home which makes them important when it comes to air quality!
Not only does maintaining your air ducts mean cleaner air, but it can also help to lessen your energy bills. Major bonus!
Get the Professional AC Help You Need
Is it time to seek professional help when it comes to improving the air quality in your home or business? A professional will be able to determine what might be affecting the air quality in your home and then provide you with some solutions to improve it. Whether it be humidity control, UV lamps, air cleaners, or filtration, there are plenty of options for ensuring you get the air quality you’re looking for.
At AC Care, we provide the expertise you need to improve the air quality in your home. You could be wondering about anything from moisture problems and water damage to proper insulation and indoor pet fur. No matter what it is, we’re ready to provide you with the answers you’re looking for and make improvements each step of the way.
Ready to get started? Give us a call today!
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