Modern homes are well sealed to keep heating and cooling indoors. While this improves energy efficiency, inadequate fresh air, indoor contaminants and nonstop recirculation can lead to problems.
Don’t worry, though, because Watts Electric & AC can help you have an energy-efficient home that’s also comfortable. Our services include an air quality audit, air duct cleaning and products to help improve indoor air quality in Columbia, Mississippi.
Call us at 601-736-7362 today to start refreshing your home’s indoor air quality.
Signs Your Home Has Poor Indoor Air Quality
Is your home’s air healthy? It may not be as clean as you think. Pollution is often two to five times more concentrated indoors compared to outdoors, as stated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Indoor air pollution moving with your home’s air can result in headaches and allergy flareups. And mold and mildew can provoke a variety of health problems.
Health Problems
While these symptoms may be a result of other issues, they can be evidence your home is dealing with indoor air quality (IAQ) problems. This is particularly true if you feel normal again while you’re away from home.
- Dry eyes, nose, throat or skin
- Headaches and sinus irritation
- Fatigue
- Allergies or asthma symptoms that are worse than average
- Coughing and sneezing
- Dizziness or nausea
Environmental Problems
A well-worn heating and cooling system can be worsening indoor air quality problems, primarily if it’s failing to filter air, regulate humidity or keep temperatures consistent.
Here are a few other signs you may need to refresh your indoor air:
- Excess static or mold growth
- Excessive dust
- Stale or musty odors
How Can I Avoid Indoor Air Quality Problems?
Combating indoor air quality problems should be fairly simple with the following 10 simple tips:
- Schedule an indoor air quality audit with Watts Electric & AC. We’ll test areas that influence air quality, such as humidity, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Then we’ll review any problems we find and how you can resolve them.
- Clean regularly to reduce dust mites, which can worsen allergies and asthma.
- Do what you can to get rid of secondhand smoke.
- Get a whole-home filtration system to get rid of odors, rather than concealing them with air fresheners or fragrant candles. The pollutants include chemicals that can trigger headaches or irritate respiratory conditions.
- Air out gas-burning appliances, like stoves and water heaters, to the outdoors.
- Keep your home’s humidity levels balanced with a humidifier or dehumidifier, depending on your needs. Set humidity under 50% to impede mold and mildew spores.
- Test your home for radon. Long-term exposure to this invisible radioactive gas is the main cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers, as reported by the EPA. You can purchase a radon test kit online or get in contact with your state radon program for details on discounted or free kits.
- Use a ventilation system to exchange contaminated indoor air with fresh air from outside.
- Find natural cleaning and painting supplies that are low in or free of VOCs. High levels of VOCs can aggravate symptoms for family members with respiratory diseases.
- Mount carbon monoxide detectors close to bedrooms.
Start Cleaning Your Air Today with Watts Electric & AC
With a full roster of NATE-Certified professionals and indoor air quality solutions, Watts Electric & AC can help your family breathe much easier. Call us at 601-736-7362 or contact us online today to begin.