Your home is your haven, and it should offer you safety and comfort. You spend time thinking about your water intake, food consumption, and exercise. However, you probably don’t spend as much of it thinking about the quality of the air you breathe inside your house. You might be one of those people who live over 90% of the time indoors, increasing the need for quality indoor air. Poor indoor air quality can wreak havoc on your health because it can provoke allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. Keep reading to find out the main signs you should be looking out for:
1. Sleep Problems
You might think that medical problems are to blame for all that tossing and turning in your bed at night and not realize that it could be caused by poor indoor air quality. The truth is that when the major contributors of poor-quality air enter your respiratory system, they can aggravate conditions such as asthma, making it hard for you to breathe and sleep peacefully. It is an excellent idea to call a professional to test the air quality in your home. Depending on what the results are, they will advise you on the best methods to help you improve indoor air quality. Additionally, it is a good idea to sleep in a well-ventilated room.
2. Coughing and Sneezing
Many people experience frequent sneezing and coughing when they are inside their homes, and they do not even realize it could be a problem with indoor air quality. Contaminated air may contain pollen, dust mites, volatile organic compounds, and other allergens that can irritate your lungs and cause these reactions. If you need a permanent solution, consider investing in a high-quality air purifier. Some air purifiers, such as those fitted with HEPA technology, are estimated to kill 99.97% of germs in the air while filtering out other small particles present. With an air purifier, you can rest assured that coughing and sneezing caused by airborne pollutants will not be a problem anymore.
3. Unpleasant Odors
Another major sign you should look out for is unpleasant odors, which may be the most notable indicator of poor air quality. A variety of issues can cause bad scents. Pet urine is a source of ammonia odor. If your pet urinates on the floor or carpet and you do not clean it up immediately, the water in the urine will begin to evaporate and leave behind a solution of ammonia that may emit fumes. These fumes can cause severe respiratory problems and also smell awful.
Odors can also come from the air vents in your HVAC. Air vents are a perfect environment for the growth of mold. They are dark and contain plenty of dust with organic matter that allows mold to metabolize. Once there is moisture in the vents, the mold can thrive. Therefore, your HVAC will not only circulate spores throughout your home but also circulate unpleasant musty odors. In such a case, you can reach out to us at Service Plus Heating & Cooling and schedule a thorough duct cleaning. You should also sign up for annual HVAC inspections to keep your heating and cooling equipment clean and lubricated.
4. Itchy Skin
Contact dermatitis, an itchy skin rash, occurs due to an allergic reaction when a person comes directly into contact with some substance. The rash is very uncomfortable, but it is not contagious. If you have itchy skin, it could indicate that your indoor air has irritants. The main culprits here are dust mites and pet dander. To reduce these symptoms, ensure your indoor air quality meets healthy standards. You need to eliminate humid environments around your home, which could be fostering the growth of dust mites.
The Bottom Line
The signs mentioned above are some of the major indicators you should look for to determine if your home has poor indoor air quality. It is important to have excellent air quality to alleviate allergy symptoms and respiratory conditions in you and your family members.
Rely on the Professionals
If you are unsure of what signs to look out for or you suspect that your indoor air quality is poor, turn to us at Service Plus Heating & Cooling. We offer residents of Aurora exceptional indoor air quality testing and solutions. We are also experts in heating and cooling services, including repairs, installations, and maintenance. Call Service Plus Heating & Cooling today to arrange a consultation with an expert.