The air we breathe indoors is often more polluted than the outdoor air. This is because indoor pollution sources are less noticeable and it’s harder to ventilate homes and offices. While most people are unaware of the air quality levels inside their homes, there is an easy way to measure and monitor them. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) index measures how healthy the indoor environment is for you or those with respiratory problems like asthma can be based on pollen count as well as other pollutants in what we breathe every day.
Indoor air quality is all around us, and your HVAC system can be a big part of it. Did you know that dirty ductwork might contain mold, allergens, and bacteria? When we breathe dust or viruses from our homes’ interior spaces, like an AC vent, they make their way into the body. An air duct cleaning expert in San Jose can safely and efficiently clean the ductwork in your home to avoid future respiratory issues or asthma attacks.
The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
The EPA reports that indoor air quality has been shown to be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor conditions. With little fresh, outside breezes coming in during the colder months and an increased time people spend indoors due to the pandemic—our homes’ respiratory system begins to worsen!
Poor indoor air quality is the result of things that happen both inside and outside your home. Pollutants from outdoor sources, such as cars or factories can affect what happens indoors such as exhaust fumes that could potentially turn disastrous consequences for human health!
Indoor air pollution does exist and it affects your air indoors which can lead to headaches, fatigue, and nausea among other things. Humidity also plays an important role in poor indoor air quality. When moisture levels go up too high it creates breeding grounds for mold spores which could lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma attacks.
How To Improve Indoor Air Quality
With the average American spending 87% of their life indoors, you’d think that indoor air quality would be something we need to worry about more. But don’t fret, here are some maintenance tips to improve indoor air quality:
- Air Duct Cleaning
Ducts are often the forgotten airways in our homes. Professionally cleaned ducts remove dust, dander, and allergens which you might be breathing in right now. By contacting a duct cleaning professional cleaning it allows you to remove all types of pollutants from your home including dirt particles that may contain lead or other dangerous chemicals making them safe again to breathe inside your home. This is the most effective way to keep pollutants, odors, stains, and harmful toxins at bay.
- Install an air purifier
Air purifiers and sanitizers are great for removing the dirt, dust, smoke that has accumulated in your home. They can also kill viruses especially the COVID19 virus and ensure you stay healthy!
- Change the air filter
A clogged filter makes your HVAC system overwork, use more energy, and make it less efficient. Change the filter every month or as recommended by your air conditioner manufacturer.
Signs You Need Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Looking for a way to breathe easier in your home? Consider getting professional air duct cleaning. These signs suggest it may be time:
- Your vents and ducts are covered with dust.
It’s not easy to see, but when excessive dust is sticking around, it may not be a good sign. Keep an eye on your dryers, vents, and even furniture and light fixtures for signs.
- Your home is visibly having dirty air.
The air coming out of your vents and ducts is full of floating dust, dirt, and hair! And even inside your home, too.
- There is an increased respiratory problem in your family.
Breathing problems including allergies such as asthma could be a sign that your heating and air conditioning system is not working efficiently.
- Your home has bad-smelling air.
You may notice a strange, moldy smell coming from the registers.
- There’s lukewarm or cold air coming out from your ducts.
A dirty duct can be a major source of heat loss, which could result in the air blowing from your vents being cold or lukewarm. This is because dirt can obstruct airflow and even cause cracks that leak out coolant into our home’s living spaces!‘
Paying attention to cleaning your indoor air is very important. Although it’s tricky to know for sure, most people assume that their heating and cooling system operates at peak efficiency. But what if there were things wrong with the ductwork? Protect yourself and prepare for the colder months by scheduling a maintenance checkup with a NADCA certified contractor today!
If you’re having these signs, then it’s time to get your ducts cleaned out, and you need an HVAC company that has experience with cleaning them.
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