Factors That Affect Indoor Air Quality

Air quality is one of the most important aspects of your home that you need to pay attention to. Poor air quality can not only be uncomfortable to live in, but it can also lead to several health complications. Understand the importance of keeping up with air conditioner maintenance by discovering the factors that affect indoor air quality.

Allergens

The first small particles that can enter your home and harm your home’s air quality are allergens, and there are several different types of trigger symptoms that you need to be aware of:

• Pollen: Allergens like pollen come from plants and they can easily enter your home if you are not careful. Leaving windows open and not changing your clothes after being outside when pollen levels are high can be easy ways for allergens to affect the quality of air in your home.

• Dust: The next type of allergens that can trigger allergy symptoms is dust. This is something that happens over time and you will notice that dust collects in areas all around the home. It’s never good to neglect any dust in your home since it’s bad to breathe in. Therefore, you need to keep up with regular housekeeping to remove it.

• Mold: Another danger to your home is mold, but it can easily be prevented. Mold can be extremely harmful to breathe in and can grow in any areas like bathrooms where moisture can acuminate. Make sure you watch out for mold to the best of your abilities so you don’t compromise your health.

• Pets: Having pets is another way you can have poor air quality in your home. Pets tend to shed, and that hair can easily find its way into your air. This can be bad news for those who suffer from a pet allergy. Vacuuming around your home and getting your pet groomed regularly is an effective method to improve indoor air.

Preventative maintenance is the best way to make sure that you can keep allergens out of your home’s air and is something you should keep up with all year long, but pay extra attention to it during the winter.

Personal Activities

There are also several personal activities that you might be doing in your home that are not very good for the air that you breathe in. Learn more about some of the personal activities that could be damaging your air’s quality ahead:

• Smoking: Smoking is not just a danger for you, but it can also be a problem for the people around you. Second-hand smoke can lead to poor air quality along with bad odor. If you do smoke, it’s best to never do it inside of the home because it can lead to further health complications for others.

• Hygiene: Personal hygiene can also play a role in the level of quality your home possesses. Body odor and cosmetics can also lead to unusual odors in your home. Be conscious of this because other people could be affected by the scent you are giving off when inside.

• Cooking: Indoor pollution can also come from cooking, and while it can usually make a home smell delightful, there are instances where carbon dioxide levels can get too high.

• Office equipment: Since you might be working from home more regularly in current times, there might be more office equipment. Be wary of toner and carbonless paper products because that can also affect air quality.
• Garbage: You may also have garbage in your home that could be leaving some lingering smells. The best way you can keep garbage from damaging your home’s air is to get a garbage can that closes and by regularly taking it out when it gets full.

Chemicals

Another threat to your home’s air is chemicals. In your home, you can be exposed to dangerous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can come from new paint, flooring, and other furnishings. VOCs can be harmful to your health because they can lead to nausea, fatigue, and more. You also must be on the lookout for certain cleaning products that might contain VOCs. Reduce your exposure by going with products that are non-toxic.

Carbon Dioxide

Our home’s air can also be exposed to carbon dioxide, which can be detrimental to your health. While a small amount of carbon dioxide is fine, a large amount can be harmful and lead to unconsciousness or death. Carbon dioxide can also lead to shortness of breath, congestion, and hyperventilation. Besides taking care of your HVAC system, having proper ventilation is the best way to keep carbon dioxide levels down and can be done with window and door screens. Ensure that your home has proper ventilation to get rid of your home’s air of a lot of carbon dioxide.

Humidity

Humidity can be unbearable to live in. Thankfully, air conditioning systems are far more accessible than ever before. However, humidity isn’t completely avoidable, and levels above 50 percent can be damaging to the air quality because they can lead to mold, mildew, and similar issues. In fact, 30 to 50 percent humidity is best for the summer, and you can even keep humidity as low as 20 percent during the winter. The solution is to either get a humidifier if the percentage is too low or a dehumidifier if levels are too high.

Temperature

Temperature in homes is also a controversial topic. Having too high temperatures in your home can lead to more chemicals present in your home, which can cause headaches, fatigue, and more. If temperatures are too low, then you can start to shiver and run the risk of respiratory problems and catching a cold or the flu. In the summer, temperatures in your home should fall between 73 degrees and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter, temperatures should be in the range of 68 degrees and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Controlling your home’s temperature with a thermostat is the easiest way to achieve good air quality.

Replace Your Air Filter

All these factors that affect indoor air quality can be attributed to a poorly functioning air conditioning unit. That is why keeping up with AC unit maintenance is incredibly important, and an easy way to accomplish this is by regularly replacing your air filter. Also, you should find an air filter with the right MERV rating to filter out all the harmful particles that are damaging your home’s air quality. At Remember the Filter, you can find MERV 11 filters and so much more to ensure high air quality in your home.