How Healthy Is the Air Inside Your Home?

A variety of factors can affect your home’s indoor air quality. Do you have respiratory issues or other problematic symptoms while you are home that seem to improve when you go outside or leave your home? You might suspect you have problems with the air in your house, and you might be right!

The EPA estimates that indoor air quality is two to five times worse than the air outside your house. This can be a major problem for immune compromised people or those who suffer from allergies.

What Causes Poor Air Quality in Your Home?

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• Smoking: Having people smoke in the home contributes toxins and makes the air impure. Save the indoor air quality by asking people to smoke outside.

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• Mold or mildew: Take a look around your house. Do you see mold or mildew? Do you have leaks or puddles in your house? Is the humidity usually above fifty percent in your house? Spores from mold or mildew can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems.

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• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s): Are all fuel burning appliances in your house properly ventilated? Do you have vehicles or lawn mowers stored in an attached garage or in a basement? Do you have paint stored in your house? Do you use air fresheners or odor-masking chemicals indoors? Have you recently renovated, painted, or bought new furniture or carpet? Have you used pesticides in your house lately? All of these can be sources of indoor pollution. Our modern houses are sealed to be more energy efficient but they can concentrate VOC’s.

What Can You Do to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home?

It can be overwhelming to consider all of the contributing factors to a polluted indoor air environment. The good news is you can take a proactive approach to the problem. Here are some steps you can take to improve indoor air quality to create a healthier home for you and your loved ones:

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• Ventilate your house: Open your windows for 15 to 20 minutes a day, unless you live near a source of pollution like a factory or a highway, or if the pollen count is high.

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• Keep VOC’s out of your house: You can store paints and chemicals in a ventilated shed that is not attached to your house. Lawn mowers can be stored there too.

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• Keep the humidity below 50 percent: Get a top-of-the-line dehumidifier or air conditioner if your house has high humidity levels. Fix any leaks in your plumbing. Don’t allow standing water inside your house or basement.

If you are concerned about your home’s indoor air quality, our team at Brummitt Heating & Cooling can help! Schedule an appointment with our experts today to get a complete check on your home’s air.