Keeping the air you breathe at home as clean as possible should always be a priority. Usually, there are two to five times more air pollutants indoors than outdoors. Maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential to creating a healthy and comfortable living environment for you and your family.
Some household products may appear harmless but release harmful contaminants. A trusted residential and commercial HVAC contractor shares some of them in this post.
What Are the Dangers of Poor Indoor Air Quality?
Most Americans spend 90% of their time in indoor environments, such as homes, schools, offices and other buildings. Pollen, mold, pet dander, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and secondhand smoke are among the most common indoor contaminants. Excessive exposure to these pollutants can have detrimental effects on your health.
Fatigue, nausea and headaches are usual consequences of poor IAQ. You may also experience eye, nose and throat irritation. Some contaminants may trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
Moreover, prolonged exposure to poor IAQ will increase your risk of developing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It increases the likelihood of neurological disorders, cancer and other health conditions. Air pollution also elevates the risk of developmental issues in young children. Measures to improve IAQ, such as scheduling regular residential or commercial HVAC maintenance, will benefit your overall well-being.
Which Products Are Bad for Your Indoor Air Quality?
Products With VOCs
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can have short and long-term effects on your health. Typical products that emit VOCs include paint, varnishes, furniture polishes, aerosol sprays, glues and adhesives. Often, concentrations of these harmful compounds are significantly higher indoors than outdoors.
Exposure to VOCs can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. It can cause headaches, nausea and poor coordination. Your kidneys, liver and central nervous system may also suffer due to VOCs.
Air Fresheners
Many homeowners want their living space to smell nice. Unfortunately, air fresheners contain aerosol toxins, which can harm your health. Sometimes, people experience allergy symptoms from artificial-scented products. Look for air fresheners with natural essential oil instead of harmful chemicals to make your home smell pleasing.
Candles
Scented candles are known for instantly creating a cozy atmosphere. Nevertheless, always be mindful of the candles you use at home because they can contribute to indoor air pollution. When lit, they can produce minute particles that irritate your lungs. Purchase beeswax candles because they don’t produce harmful byproducts.
Cleaning Products
What could be more satisfying than a spotlessly clean home? Carefully choose the products you use to tidy your spaces. Many of the cleaning solutions you can buy today contain harmful chemicals. Make it a habit to read labels before purchasing.
Experts strongly discourage mixing different cleaning products. A lot of them have ammonia or bleach. When combined, they can create toxic gasses. You can always try natural alternatives, like a homemade mixture of baking soda and white vinegar.
Paints and Varnishes
During the warmer months, people often improve their attic insulation, repaint exterior and interior walls, get new flooring, and complete other home improvements. If you are one of them, it may help to know that many construction materials contain and release VOCs, including paint, varnishes and some flooring options. Be sure to buy products with low or no VOC content to minimize your exposure.
Pesticides
Do you love outdoor plants? If so, you want to protect them from insects and diseases. Before buying pesticides, check their labels to determine their contents. Many products from stores contain hazardous chemicals that cause health problems.
Try your best to use methods that don’t involve chemicals for controlling pests. You can reduce the likelihood of infestation by eliminating standing water, addressing plumbing leaks, and sealing gaps and cracks where small creatures can enter. It may also help to install window and door screens.
Printers and Copiers
Today, more and more people are working remotely or running their businesses from home. That said, some of your electronic devices can hurt your IAQ. Certain printers and copiers produce VOCs, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. These toxic gases can cause fatigue, headaches, allergy symptoms and more health concerns.
How Do You Improve Your Indoor Air Quality?
Professional Air Duct Cleaning
Besides improving your attic insulation, regular air duct cleaning can also help keep your living space comfortable. Air ducts circulate conditioned and warm air in your home. Over time, dirt, dust and other pollutants can accumulate in them.
Scheduling routine duct cleaning from reputable professionals will ensure the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. It will also help reduce allergens and contaminants in your space, such as mold, mildew, pet dander and pollen. If you fail to accomplish this maintenance task, polluted air will keep recirculating in your indoor spaces.
Keep Your HVAC System in Top Shape
Routine inspections and tune-ups are vital to a long-lasting and efficient HVAC system. When in top shape, your equipment can help improve your IAQ. Be sure to replace air filters regularly to ensure good airflow and reduce airborne contaminants.
If your equipment has issues, contact professionals immediately. Delaying repairs will only worsen the problem and shorten the unit’s lifespan. When it’s time for an HVAC replacement, choose a dependable company like EZ Air Conditioning and Heating. We only install quality heating and cooling equipment, including VRF systems.
Install an Air Purifier
An air purifier with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can eliminate airborne particulate matter (PM) in your home. Reducing air contaminants can help alleviate asthma and allergy symptoms. You may not even need artificial scents if you have a high-quality air purifier as it can eliminate lasting odors, ensuring your humble abode always smells fresh. With better indoor air quality, you will also sleep better and have a lower risk of getting airborne diseases, such as colds and flu.
Whether you need an AC repair or wish to invest in more efficient equipment, you can depend on EZ Air Conditioning and Heating. Our team repairs and services all models of residential HVAC units. We also install VRF systems for commercial buildings. Call us at (210) 429-9186 or fill out our online form to book a consultation.
