What Is Indoor Air Quality?
Asking people about indoor air quality is like asking a fish about the water it lives in. Most people don’t give it a second thought, but it has huge implications for the health of those who live in the home. EPA studies repeatedly show that indoor air is far more polluted than outdoor air because it never refreshes. Indoor air gets recirculated around the home repeatedly, causing it to harbor a high load of dust and allergens. These, along with improper humidity levels, contribute to poor indoor air quality. When indoor air quality is low, there are clear consequences. Luckily, by following a few simple suggestions, homeowners can avoid the negative implications of low indoor air quality.
Negative Health Outcomes Associated With Poor Indoor Air Quality
People are spending more time indoors than ever before. In the spring, this is compounded by a high level of allergens outside that people try to avoid. Unfortunately, running inside to avoid allergens will just expose people to other pollutants that are harbored in the indoor air.
When people are constantly exposed to poor indoor air quality, it shows up in their overall wellness. Some of the consequences of poor indoor air quality are:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
- Longer allergy seasons
- Intensified allergic reactions
- Poor lung health
- Chronic infections and respiratory illness
By cleaning up the air inside a home, everyone’s lungs get a break from the constant barrage of contaminants. When people live in a home with clean air, their immune systems catch up, leading to better outcomes for overall wellness.
AC Maintenance and Air Filter Replacement
Improving indoor air quality can be done with a few simple changes. The change that will have the most dramatic impact is air filter replacement. Every furnace or air conditioner has air filters to protect them from getting dust into their moving parts. As a positive side effect, this also cleans up the air in the home. To maximize the effects of this practice, aim to replace furnace filters every three months. If allergies don’t improve, try changing them more often.
Professional AC maintenance can also improve air quality in conjunction with air filter changes. During air conditioner maintenance, professionals will check the machine for operation and perform a tune-up that allows it to remove dust from the air more effectively.
Using Air Filtration Systems
If regular air filter replacement isn’t profoundly affecting lung health and air quality in the home, there are other options to improve indoor air quality. Air filtration systems like air purifiers dramatically reduce dust and particles in the air, while air sanitizers attack biological agents like odors and pathogens. These systems can be accessed by purchasing portable units or installed along with HVAC equipment so the air quality improvements are automatic.
About 360 Air Tech
360 Air Tech specializes in improving indoor air quality with AC maintenance and air filtration system installation. They offer upfront pricing and always leave the homes they work in clean. Call today for HVAC service in Williamsburg, VA.
