The term “air pollution” often makes you think of the air outside of the home. However, indoor air quality can be just as harmful as outdoor air. It makes sense. Individuals are spending an increased amount of time indoors and our homes are becoming more energy-efficient, which means they are air tight and keeping contaminants inside. You need to know what’s negatively impacting your indoor air quality to help make it better. Here are three common problems with your indoor air quality.
1. Humidity Levels
Managing humidity levels can be difficult. Lots of humidity can harbor the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. Lower amounts of humidity can harm your mucous membranes and increase the possibility of contracting a cold or flu and increase other respiratory problems. Plus, your home’s furniture and woodwork can be impaired by both low and high humidity levels. Fortunately, you can balance your home’s humidity levels with humidifiers and dehumidifiers.
2. Allergens
The most typical indoor allergen is dust mites. As a matter of fact, their droppings are one of the most common causes of asthma and allergy symptoms. Seeing that dust mites are attracted to pillows and bedding, your bedroom is a retreat for allergens. Another big factor is pet dander. So, if your pets sleep your bedroom, even more allergens are accumulating. You can lower the number of allergens in your bedroom by washing your bedding frequently and using a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. You can take removing allergens to a new level with a whole-home air filtration system. A professional from Anderson Heating & A/C can walk through all your options and help you determine the perfect system for your needs.
3. Household Chemicals and Odors
While you might think it’s logical to mask bad household smells with air fresheners, they can actually cause health issues—like eye, throat and lung irritation—as a result of the chemicals they contain. This is also true for many household cleaners. Plus, these dangers pose greater risk to children and elderly people with respiratory issues. These health risks are even more reason to research a Lennox® whole-home filtration system.
The air in your home should support your health, not hurt it. We want to use our expertise to ensure you have the best indoor air quality possible. To schedule an in-home air assessment or ask us any questions about indoor air quality, call us at 775-230-7628.