Spending Time Indoors
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we spend about 87% of our lives indoors, 6% in vehicles, and 7% outdoors. If this is true, then why are we not as concerned about the air quality inside our home as we are with the air quality outside? The quality of air indoors is vital to our personal health and overall well-being. Here are some of the factors that impact the air quality in your house, the health implications of poor air quality and the simple steps you can take to improve it.
Contaminants of Indoor Air
Indoor air quality can be contaminated from a variety of sources including paint, air fresheners, and cleaning products. The fabric of your furniture and even cosmetics can have a negative impact on your indoor air quality. Common irritants also include pet dander, dust, and smoke. Poor ventilation allows indoor air to become contaminated and remain that way for a long period of time. Essentially, the quality of the air inside your house becomes gradually worse over time if action isn’t taken.
Air Quality on Health
Irritated eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue are all symptomatic of having poor indoor air quality. Long-term poor air quality could lead to chronic respiratory issues and even disease. After reading all the negative consequences of living in a house with poor air quality, it’s easy to see how the quality of air in your home can dramatically impact your quality of life.
Ways to Improve Air Quality Indoors
Your air conditioner does have a filter to block some of the contaminants from recirculating but the air filter on its own is an inadequate system for maintaining optimal air quality. It’s important to routinely change your air filter and even use a hypoallergenic air filter but it’s also important to increase the ventilation in your house. This can be easily done by occasionally opening a window. A heat recovery ventilator can also be installed to increase the flow of fresh air in your house.
Despite your best efforts, contaminants can still remain inside the air ducts of your home. For this reason, it’s important to schedule a duct cleaning to remove residual contaminants. Other ways to combat poor air quality include frequently vacuuming the home and decluttering your house. Perhaps the best way to improve indoor air quality is with a comprehensive indoor air quality system that includes UV lights, an improved air filtration system, and an air purifier.
Lindstrom Air
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