Even if indoor air quality isn’t on your mind, you probably notice its effects, like dusty rooms that make you sneeze and allergies that cause your eyes to itch and your nose to run. The quality of your indoor air can have a big effect on your health and happiness, even more so because Americans spend so much of their time indoors.
If you want to make your home healthier, you should pay attention to these air quality threats:
- Common allergens such as pollen, pet dander and dust – Many Americans suffer dust allergies, and some may not be aware of it. An environment with these particles can cause unpleasant reactions and can even make existing conditions like asthma worse. Keep your home clean and use a HEPA-filtered vacuum to capture them.
- High-humidity pests like mold, mildew, bacteria and fungal colonies – These growing organisms can do more than just make you sick; they can actually eat away at the structure of your home. Managing your indoor humidity and installing UV lights in your HVAC system can help cut them down.
- Harsh cleaning chemicals and aerosols – If you can see a fine spray of particles or smell your household cleaner long after you’ve cleaned, it’s a good sign that some of it remains in your air supply. Use less-harsh cleaners to protect your lungs from unhealthy chemicals.
- High or low humidity levels – When your indoor humidity is too high, you get mold, mildew and other maladies. But when it’s too low, it contributes to dust and can irritate skin and lungs. You want to balance your humidity using humidifiers and dehumidifiers in appropriate locations, and be aware that your humidity management needs may change throughout the year.
- Carbon monoxide – Created naturally by combustion, carbon monoxide (CO) is dangerous and has to be ventilated away so it doesn’t harm your family. Keep all gas appliances well maintained, and make sure your home has CO detectors installed.
Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning proudly serves homeowners in the Twin Cities area. Call us with any questions about your indoor air quality!
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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