Why an Energy-Efficient Home Can Impact Air Quality and How to Enhance It
Residences today are designed with energy efficiency in mind. This includes more insulation and tightly sealed doors and windows to keep energy bills reasonable. While this is good for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so great for your indoor air quality.
As air has reduced chances to escape, contaminants can accumulate and impact your house’s indoor air quality. In actuality, your house’s air can actually be 2–5 times worse than the outdoors, according to the EPA. That’s not good for anyone, but it’s especially detrimental for family members with allergies, asthma, other respiratory concerns or heart disease.
Let’s go over some of these common pollutants and how you can enhance your residence’s indoor air quality.
6 Common Pollutants that Influence Indoor Air Quality
When you visualize pollutants, you could think about smog or tobacco smoke. But a lot of substances that impact your air quality are common items. These things have chemicals referred to as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
They involve:
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- Cleaning products, including aerosol sprays, bleach and window cleaner.
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- Personal care products, including hairspray, perfume and nail products.
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- Candles and air fresheners.
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- Formaldehyde, which is commonly used in plastic, foam and particleboard products.
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- Furniture, window treatments and carpet, especially when they’re brand new.
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- Paints and stains.
Other typical pollutants include:
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- Dust
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- Pet dander
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- Pollen
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- Mold
Symptoms of VOC Exposure
Some people are more sensitive to VOCs than others. The EPA says symptoms of VOC exposure include:
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- Irritated eyes, nose or throat
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- Headaches
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- Dizziness
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- Fatigue
In extreme instances, the EPA says VOCs are linked to respiratory and heart diseases.
4 Ways to Enhance Your Residence’s Indoor Air Quality
It isn’t complicated to boost your house’s air quality. Here are a few recommendations from Harvard Medical School:
1. Clean Your Home Frequently
Regularly cleaning and washing surfaces that attract allergens, such as furniture, carpet and bedding, will help cut down on dust, dust mites and pet dander in your home.
2. Routinely Change Your Air Filter
This essential filter keeps your house comfortable and air healthy. How often you should change your air filter depends on the type of filter you use. Flat filters should be replaced every month, while pleated filters should be changed every three months. If you’re not sure if your filter should be changed, take it out and hold it up to the light. Replace it if you can’t see light through it.
If someone in your home has allergies or asthma, we suggest having a filter with a greater MERV rating. The greater the number this is, the better your filter is at eliminating contaminants.
3. Maximize Natural Ventilation
Keep fresh air in your home by opening windows whenever it’s warm enough. We also advise turning on exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen often to eliminate pollutants and introduce more fresh air.
4. Call Our Indoor Air Quality Pros
From whole-home air purifiers, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing has a resolution to help your loved ones breathe more easily. We’ll help you select the ideal option during your free home comfort assessment. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule yours now!