Poor indoor air quality is an invisible hazard that can significantly impact your health and comfort. Watch out for these signs so you can take action immediately to protect yourself and your loved ones.
1. Persistent Unpleasant Odors
Indoor air pollutants often have distinct smells that linger for days, if not weeks. For example, microbial contaminants such as mold, mildew, bacteria, and fungi produce musty odors. Volatile organic compounds have a chemical-like scent, while cigarette smoke carries a stale, acrid smell.
Your indoor air should feel fresh, clean, odorless, and light at all times. You shouldn’t struggle to breathe or feel discomfort in your own space. Beware, however, that your body can get accustomed to your poor air quality. So, if you have been indoors for a long time, walk out of your home for an hour or two and pay attention to how you feel when you return. You’ll quickly tell if your air quality is compromised.
2. Allergic Reactions and Respiratory Issues
Poor indoor air quality is directly linked to an increase in asthma or allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, congestion, and watery eyes, experienced while indoors. Dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander often trigger these reactions.
In severe cases or a poorly ventilated space, poor indoor air quality can contribute to or exacerbate respiratory problems like bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Long-term exposure can weaken your immune system and respiratory defenses, leaving you more susceptible to infections and chronic health issues.
3. Headaches
Poor air circulation and indoor air pollutants can lead to frequent headaches. Airborne irritants can inflame your sinuses, which will create increased pressure in your head, resulting in throbbing pain (migraines) that are difficult to shake off. If you notice that these headaches appear a few hours after staying indoors, then the culprit is definitely your indoor air.
4. Insomnia and Fatigue
It’s very difficult to get a good night’s sleep when the indoor air quality is terrible. You need to be in a comfortable environment for your body to get into a deep sleep—the cycle that strengthens your immune system, releases growth hormones, and allows your cells to repair and regenerate. Dust, allergens, and microorganisms can cause discomfort and trigger respiratory issues, disrupting your sleep cycle.
Lack of good sleep will lead to fatigue throughout the day. Also, insufficient levels of oxygen in the air due to contamination can further contribute to exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, and reduced overall productivity.
5. Excessive Dust Accumulation
It’s natural for a house to get dusty over time. You should expect to notice light dusting after a couple of days and a more visible accumulation after a week or more. However, if you’re constantly wiping down your furniture and other surfaces in your home, you have an indoor air problem.
Your HVAC system should help minimize the level of dust and other airborne pollutants in your home by trapping and holding them. If this isn’t the case, you either have poor airflow or the air filters are dirty. Moreover, excessive dust can signal that your home is poorly sealed. Pollutants could be creeping in through attics, crawl spaces, cracked foundations, and window and door frames. You’ll need a qualified HVAC technician to assess your home and determine the root cause of the issue.
6. Rising Energy Bills
Poor indoor air quality can also lead to higher energy consumption. Your HVAC system will have to work harder to supply fresh air. Polluted air quickly clogs air filters, which means that your HVAC system’s fans may also need to work harder to pull air through the little available space left in the filter. This increased strain not only reduces the system’s efficiency but can also lead to premature wear and tear.
Potential Solutions
The first step to improving your indoor air quality is discovering the source of pollution and directly addressing it. For example, if you have pets, groom them frequently to minimize pet dander. Revisit your home insulation to seal gaps and cracks that could be letting in outdoor pollutants and allergens. Regularly replace your HVAC system’s filters because they can also be a source of indoor air solutions.
Next, invest in indoor air quality products such as air purifiers. These systems are designed to remove fine particles, allergens, and pollutants efficiently and effectively. They used advanced filters, fans, and modern technology to capture, eliminate, and monitor airborne contaminants in real time.
Our HVAC Experts Can Help
If you live in the Commerce City, CO area call Smith & Willis Heating & Air Conditioning to test your air and provide tailored long-term solutions to improve your indoor air quality. Our NATE-certified and experienced technicians have the expertise and tools to perform the job quickly and effectively so you can enjoy a safer home in the shortest possible time. We can also help service your HVAC system since it plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy indoor air.
Call Smith & Willis Heating & Air Conditioning today for professional indoor air quality solutions in Commerce City.
