Indoor air quality testing is a common practice in northern Utah that every homeowner should know about!
A lot of homeowners don’t think about their property’s indoor air quality (IAQ), but it’s actually a huge factor that everyone should keep in mind. After all, if the air inside your home is polluted in any way, it can impact you and your household’s health!
All of us at Beehive Heating & Air take indoor air quality testing very seriously, and we’ll be there for you and your home when you need to verify whether or not you’re experiencing any air quality issues.
Below is a comprehensive overview detailing the primary causes of indoor air quality problems, the potential health effects of compromised air quality, and how to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
Most Common Causes of Indoor Air Quality Issues
There are many sources that can potentially cause indoor air quality issues, and some are more obvious than others. Below are some of the most common causes of indoor air pollution:
Building Furnishings & Materials
Some building furnishings and materials can potentially release harmful chemicals into your property’s air. Common examples include carpets, caulks, paints, and furniture that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
VOCs include many different harmful chemicals, such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, and much more. VOCs are known for initiating respiratory issues, and some are even carcinogens. One way to reduce the harmful impacts of VOCs is to invest in air circulation and ventilation improvements.
Ventilation Issues
Another cause of poor indoor air quality is improper ventilation. Ventilation issues will lead to muggy and stuffy household air. One problematic result of stagnant indoor air is moisture accumulation, which can potentially lead to mildew and mold development.
When mold contaminations get out of hand, it’ll require professional remediation and restoration services to fix the contamination.
Indoor Smoking
Cigarette smoke is another common cause of poor indoor air quality, and the FDA has concluded that over 7,000 chemicals are contained within cigarette smoke—70% of which are carcinogenic.
Potential Health Effects of Jeopardized Indoor Air Quality
The most alarming aspect of indoor air quality issues is the heightened potential for health hazards. Some of the most common health issues associated with poor IAQ include:
Respiratory Issues
Respiratory issues are by far the most common health issue associated with poor indoor air quality. Additionally, mold spores are the leading cause of asthma throughout the U.S.
Allergies
Poor IAQ can also contribute to severe allergies. Common household allergens such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander can quickly accumulate within your home’s air and create allergic reactions.
Headaches & Fatigue
Fatigue and headaches are other health-related symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality. This is largely due to the fact that bad air quality is known for decreasing an individual’s capacity to absorb oxygen. In some severe cases, poor IAQ can lead to confusion and memory loss.
Bacterial & Viral Illnesses
If your home is prone to poor indoor air quality, you also put yourself at risk of contracting bacterial or viral illnesses. Allergens and pollutants are known for aggravating an individual’s lungs, which then makes the body more likely to get sick.
Cancer
As mentioned above, many VOCs are carcinogenic—including benzene and formaldehyde. This means that people exposed to these carcinogens are prone to cancer, especially when they experience frequent, repeated exposure over a long period of time.
Tips To Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality
The good news is that there’s plenty that northern Utah homeowners can do when it comes to improving the indoor air quality of their properties. Some of the most common methods include:
Maintaining Appropriate Levels of Indoor Humidity & Temperature
Properly controlling your home’s humidity and temperature levels is paramount for minimizing your risks of mildew and mold development. Mold thrives in warm, humid climates, and running your AC and a dehumidifier can help avoid the type of stagnant air that mold loves.
Using Air Purifiers
Air purifiers do a wonderful job of removing allergens, pollutants, and VOCs from your home’s air. The purifiers on today’s marketplace come in many different styles and sizes as well, so you can be assured that you’ll find a unit that’s perfect for your home’s unique needs.
It’s also important to remember that certain air purifiers are better than others, and our experts can help guide you through these types of investment decisions.
Ventilation System Installations
If your northern Utah home doesn’t already have proper ventilation, you’ll inevitably be much more susceptible to poor indoor air quality.
But when you install a state-of-the-art ventilation system at your house, you’ll subsequently improve your air circulation and resolve your air quality issues.
Maintaining Your Home’s Appliances
IAQ issues can also be caused by malfunctioning appliances, including your HVAC system.
This is why it’s so important to invest in seasonal maintenance appointments with our technicians, and to regularly clean out your air filters at least every 2-3 months. When you do notice any warning signs associated with your appliances, it’s crucial to reach out to us for a repair appointment as soon as possible.
Installing an Indoor Air Quality Monitor
IAQ monitors are priceless investments that help homeowners better detect odorless gases like radon and carbon monoxide, and many models also detect VOCs within your home’s air. You can also better monitor your home’s indoor air temperature and humidity levels, which helps you minimize your risks of many potential health issues.
Investing in Professional Indoor Air Quality Testing
When you hire Beehive Heating & Air for your IAQ testing, you’ll subsequently receive accurate information about the pollutants found throughout your property. Our seasoned specialists will thoroughly inspect every aspect of your home in order to verify whether or not any allergens or harmful chemicals are present.
We’ll then develop a comprehensive report that provides our findings, as well as our recommendations to resolve your potentially poor indoor air quality before it poses any health hazards.
Reach Out To Us To Schedule An Indoor Air Quality Test Today!
Beehive Heating & Air has offered indoor air quality testing for homes and businesses throughout northern Utah for many years, and our experts will be there for you and your property when you need a thorough inspection and precise analysis of your air quality.
Feel free to reach out to us online or call us at 801-849-3860 to speak with our team today about scheduling your next IAQ test today!