Your indoor air quality is the standard of air that’s within your De Pere, WI, home or business. It impacts the health, safety, and comfort of everyone inside. Indoor air that’s polluted can cause sickness or a variety of health issues. Outdoor pollution, pet dander, smoke, vapors, and some household chemicals can cause poor indoor air quality.
Outdoor air quality gets a lot of attention in the news. Indoor air quality is just as vital to your health as the outside. Keeping track of indoor air quality is the first step in keeping you safe, healthy, and comfortable. So how can you measure your home’s indoor air quality?
Measuring Indoor Air Quality
There are some steps you can take to measure indoor air quality. One way is to use an air quality monitor. You can purchase one in the home improvement section at your local hardware shop. For optimal quality, it’s best to find one that’s capable of detecting a variety of pollutants and toxins.
Indoor air quality monitors work a lot like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. They help expose environmental threats to your home. Smoke detectors are quick at alerting you to potential fire risks in your home. It’s not just fire that’s a threat to your indoor health and safety. Carbon monoxide detectors work in a similar way by picking up on traces of the gas inside your home. These alarm systems use special sensor technology that helps keep you safe.
Today’s sensor technology is more efficient. They are made to detect multiple problems in your home’s atmosphere. These latest developments can sense a fine mixture of gases, chemicals, and particles throughout your home.
What Does an Air Quality Monitor Measure?
Particulates and other contaminants like mold spores, dust, dander, and VOC’s can make their way into your home. If you want improved indoor air quality, look for a monitor that can measure the following issues.
Humidity
Improper humidity levels can cause a number of problems in a home. Humidity that measures at approximately 55% can produce enough moisture for mold to grow and thrive. It’s ideal that you keep humidity between 30% and 50% if you’re concerned with mold growth. When you invest in an indoor air quality monitor, be sure to look for one that can pick up on humidity levels inside your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Newly installed building materials like carpet, cabinets, and countertops all harbor toxic chemicals known as volatile organic compounds. Volatile organic compounds also come from common household cleaning products such as polishes and disinfectants. These irritants also derive from air fresheners and pesticides.
Common activities like cooking also contribute to indoor air pollution over time. A good indoor air quality monitor should include VOC sensors that can easily detect particles in the atmosphere.
Levels of Particulate Matter
Otherwise known as particle pollution, particulate matter is a blend of solid particles and liquid droplets that impact your indoor air quality. They’re a mixture of different chemicals from a variety of sources, such as recent construction, vehicle pollution, or fires. An indoor air quality monitor that detects fine particulates is good for helping you track indoor particle pollution.
Pay Attention to Your Health
Another way to measure indoor pollution levels is to pay attention to your health. Are you experiencing headaches, nausea, or dizziness? If so, you may want to have your home’s indoor air quality tested. A sore throat and itchy, watery eyes are common indicators of the presence of pollutants or allergens in your home. These can be traced to common irritants like pet dander and dust mites, which cause your eyes to water. Be aware of any other contaminants, such as mold or mildew. If you have an increase in allergy symptoms and can’t pinpoint an exact cause, the problem could be your indoor air quality.
Use a Radon Detector
Like carbon monoxide, radon is difficult to detect. It’s an odorless, colorless gas that can cause long-term health problems. Radon is very sneaky because it slips through the cracks in your walls and floors. It lurks around pipes without notice. Because it comes from decomposing uranium deposits in your soil, radon comes in from the outside. A radon test kit will measure the exact amount of radon in your home. Simply place the kit in the area with the greatest risk, and leave it for the recommended amount of time. This time frame can be anywhere from two to seven days. Another viable solution is a plug-in radon detector. Plug-ins will continuously measure radon levels in your home.
Check Your Air Filters
Another good way to measure indoor air quality is to have your air filters checked. If they have a lot of dirt or dust, replace them immediately. Air filters are a part of your HVAC system that’s responsible for removing harmful elements from the air. Dirty air filters impact your indoor air quality in several ways, as well as the condition that your HVAC system is in. Most HVAC filters should be replaced once every 30 to 90 days.
Elements such as pet dander, smoke, and outdoor pollution all get caught inside an air filter. If you live in an urban area with a lot of factories, you may want to keep a closer eye on your air filters. Frequent dirt and dust accumulation indicates a problem with your indoor air quality.
What Next?
Now that you’ve tested your indoor air quality, it’s time to find solutions. There are a few preventive actions you can take to reduce indoor air contamination. In many cases, a professional is needed.
One preventive measure is to have a professional check for mold and mildew. This requires a professional inspection in your bath and kitchen areas, where it’s most likely to be present. Mold grows around pipes and fixtures in these places. Your laundry room and basement are two other hotspots where mold is known to grow, and it’s important not to overlook these areas.
Another good measure is to invest in an indoor air purifier. There are several types you can choose from. A high-quality air purifier should have a filtration system that removes harmful particles and gases. A qualified technician can help you choose an air purifier that’s the correct size for your home.
Call the Pros
Your health and your comfort depend on the air you breathe. Good indoor air quality is possible with a few preventive measures and regular HVAC system maintenance. Regular testing can give you the results you need to take action. At Healthy Home Heating & Cooling LLC, we can help you find solutions that will help you breathe easy again. In addition to indoor air quality testing for your De Pere home, we also offer duct cleanings, routine inspections, annual maintenance, and the installation of new equipment for all your heating and cooling needs. Call or visit our website today to learn more.
