When we think or talk about air pollution, we mostly connect it to cities covered in layers of smog. We rarely talk about air contamination in our homes. Yet, it’s the air in our homes that should concern us more. Compromised indoor air quality (IAQ) causes visible and invisible health problems. Be on the lookout for poor IAQ. Here are five signs that indicate poor IAQ.
Humid air
If the air in your home appears clammy or moist, that’s a sign of poor IAQ. Have you noticed fogginess on your windows? The foggy window is a clear sign of excess humidity in your home. If you observe any rotting wood around your home, then it means there is excess moisture in your home. Make sure to reach out to the experts from ac repair denver if this is the case for you.
Strange smells around your home
If there is a persistent unpleasant odor around your home, it may be due to poor IAQ. Mold could be the reason for the unpleasant smell. Maybe it is because of the contaminants lingering in the air inside your home. If the smell lingers on, you need to check your ventilation and air circulation. A good ventilation system should eliminate the repugnant smell within a few minutes.
Mold and mildew
Mildew and mold growth is one of the side effects of bad IAQ. Poor airflow contributes to dampness which facilitates the growth of mildew and mold. If you see any mold growth on the walls, wood surfaces, or on your fabrics, that’s a clear sign that you have poor IAQ in your home.
Health issues
Poor IAQ comes with a bunch of health issues. Has anyone in your home complained of lingering headaches, skin dryness, dizziness, fatigue, upper respiratory problems, sneezing, or watery eyes? They could be reacting to contaminants present in the air inside your home. Headaches may be due to the toxic substances in the cleaning products you use, aerosol sprays, or pesticides. Sneezing and coughs could be an indication of excess dust or pollen. It could mean there is poor air circulation in your home. Complaints of dry skin or nose bleeds could mean your home has low humidity levels. Allergies could be a result of high humidity in your home. Maintaining an ideal humidity level is key to improving your home’s IAQ.
Dust Build Up
Excessive dust in your home could be an indication of poor air quality. Check the air vents in your home. If you see any dust buildup on the vents or the air filter and it’s been less than a month since you changed it, it could mean there is excessive dust and other contaminants in your home.
How to improve IAQ
You and your family don’t have to endure the bad air quality. You need to address your home’s IAQ before it gets worse. While it is impractical to eliminate pollutants present in our home’s indoor air, you can significantly improve your home’s IAQ. Here are a few ways to enhance your home’s air quality by Air Purifier Today.
- Keep your surfaces, rugs, and floor mats clean. Use natural and fragrance-free cleaning products.
- Add planting in your indoor and outdoor spaces. Plants are natural air purifiers. Add spider plants, aloe vera, devil ivy, peace lily, areca palms, or English ivy to clean the air around your home.
- Regularly change the air filters in your HVAC equipment. Make it a monthly habit to change the filters in your HVAC equipment.
- Invest in air purifiers. Air purifier purifies the air we breathe. It eliminates dust particles, pollen, VOCs, pet dander, mold, or mildew from the air we breathe.
- Open your windows. Letting in fresh air improves the IAQ in your home.
- Regularly test for radon. Radon is an odorless gas and it silently creeps into our homes. Breathing radon increases your likelihood of developing lung cancer.
- Add a humidifier. Humidifiers come in handy during the cold season as the air in our home becomes drier.
Final Thoughts
The air in our homes is as contaminated as the air outside. Therefore, it pays to check out for any indication of poor IAQ and invest in measures that improve the IAQ in your home.