Our indoor air quality is essential, but there tends to be more of a focus on outdoor air quality only. According to the World Health Organization, more than 4 million people die every year due to poor indoor air quality. There are various ways to combat poor air quality in your home. Understanding where it comes from first is essential to start making the change. Here at Ugly Dog Heating & Cooling, we have the modern tools and devices to ensure that your home will have only the best when it comes to indoor air quality.
What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality?
The causes for poor indoor air quality can vary on a few things. Depending on where you live, the type of building you’re in, and your climate all have different factors when it comes to this aspect. The most common cause of poor air quality comes from asbestos which is a material that was used in older homes. Other pollutants such as dust, pet dander can also play a role in poor air quality. If you’re in a place where there is excessive moisture or pesticides that are used outdoors, then they can also be a factor. Your crawl space, for example, can be infested and have low air circulation from a poor HVAC system.
How Can Poor Indoor Air Quality Affect My Health?
The most immediate health effects of poor indoor air quality typically become ignored in most cases. Often, people will undergo symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, eye irritation, and coughing. They may feel like allergies, the common cold, or a small virus, but they can be something much more severe. The intensity of these symptoms will vary with age and any other existing medical conditions. One example is if someone has asthma, they can be much more prone to heavier symptoms than someone without asthma. Some prolonged exposure to poor indoor air can lead to respiratory problems, cancer, or heart disease.
How Can I Prevent Indoor Poor Air Quality?
There are few things to start considering as a new routine to keep your home clean and healthy. Some of our favorite things to do are listed below! The good news is that you can combat poor air quality.
Air Purification
One of the easiest things to do is having good ventilation. Opening up your windows to let air in and out will have a dramatic effect on indoor air pollutants. Getting your HVAC system serviced can help remove any dirt and grime that has built up over time and get rid of that factor of creating poor air quality.
Also, having proper HVAC maintenance will save you a lot of time and trouble. Looking into special filters, specifically, ones that filter pet dander, dust, and allergens, can help. They can also help remove other pollutants such as bacteria and viruses. It’s recommended to change your filter every one or two months depending on how many pets you have or how much dust and dirt settles in your home.
Vacuum Regularly
Everything from dust, pet dander, and hair gather quickly across your home. Create a routine vacuum schedule that gets the floor, including carpet, tile, and wood, along with couches and even your bed.
Get Some Indoor Plants
Having indoor plants can help take in CO2 and put out oxygen. They can also help keep your home feeling and smelling fresh! There’s no downside to having a few plants across your home.
Control Humidity
One of the most significant parts of indoor air quality is humidity control. Too much humidity and you may get mold, and too little can lead to things getting too dry. Owning a humidifier can help you keep perfect humidity levels and help cleanse your home.
Invest In An Air Cleaner
If you struggle with allergies, asthma, or any other respiratory distress, having an air cleaner can help manage a lot of those symptoms at home. We can help you choose the right one to keep your breathing on the norm!
Ugly Dog Heating & Cooling Is Here For You
We can help you get the most modern devices across your home. We can take care of all your HVAC needs from installation, repair, maintenance, and so much more! Give us a call today to transform your home air quality.