Why an Energy-Efficient Residence Can Decrease Air Quality and How to Enhance It
Homes today are built with energy efficiency in mind. This entails added insulation and tightly sealed doors and windows to keep heating and cooling costs down. While this is good for your utility costs, it’s not so fantastic for your indoor air quality.
Since air has reduced chances to escape, pollutants can accumulate and decrease your residence’s indoor air quality. In actuality, your house’s air can actually be 2–5 times more polluted than the outdoors, according to the EPA. That’s not good for anyone, but it’s especially detrimental for loved ones with allergies, asthma, other respiratory disorders or heart disease.
Let’s discuss some of these common substances and how you can improve your house’s indoor air quality.
6 Routine Pollutants that Impact Indoor Air Quality
When you picture pollutants, you might think about smog or tobacco smoke. But lots of substances that influence your air quality are everyday substances. These things contain chemicals referred to as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
They involve:
-
- Cleaning products, such as aerosol sprays, bleach and window cleaner.
-
- Personal care products, like hairspray, perfume and nail products.
-
- Candles and air fresheners.
-
- Formaldehyde, which is commonly used in plastic, foam and particleboard products.
-
- Furniture, window treatments and carpet, especially when they’re brand new.
-
- Paints and stains.
Other everyday pollutants include:
-
- Dust
-
- Pet dander
-
- Pollen
-
- Mold
Symptoms of VOC Exposure
Some people are more influenced by VOCs than others. The EPA says symptoms of VOC exposure involve:
-
- Irritated eyes, nose or throat
-
- Headaches
-
- Dizziness
-
- Fatigue
In extreme instances, the EPA says VOCs can cause respiratory and heart diseases.
4 Ways to Enhance Your House’s Indoor Air Quality
It isn’t hard to boost your home’s air quality. Here are a few recommendations from Harvard Medical School:
1. Clean Your House Frequently
Regularly cleaning and washing surfaces that attract allergens, including furniture, carpet and bedding, will help cut down on dust, dust mites and pet dander in your residence.
2. Routinely Change Your Air Filter
This important filter keeps your residence comfy and air healthy. How often you should change your air filter depends on the style of filter you install. Flat filters should be swapped 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 tilt it to the light. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it.
If someone in your house has allergies or asthma, we advise installing a filter with a better MERV rating. The greater the number this is, the better your filter is at eliminating contaminants.
3. Enhance Natural Ventilation
Keep fresh air in your home by opening windows whenever the temperature allows. We also suggest using exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen as much as possible to get rid of pollutants and introduce more fresh air.
4. Chat Our Indoor Air Quality Pros
From whole-home air purifiers, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing has a resolution to help your family breathe more easily. We’ll help you choose the right option during your free home comfort assessment. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule yours now!