What Causes Indoor Air Quality Problems?
Most people associate polluted air with industries and urban centers and fail to acknowledge that the air within their homes could be equally polluted. As most people spend most of their time in their residential places, it is prudent to know what causes indoor air quality problems.
Dust
Do you have your floor, carpet, and surfaces scrubbed spotlessly clean but you are still sneezing? Dust or other irritants could be the victims. Dust within your heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit due to irregular cleaning is a common cause of indoor air quality problem.
Carpet Fumes
Once a new carpet has been installed within a living space, its vinyl backing and the glue used to hold it in place produces fumes in a process known as off-gassing. This pollutes the air and may result in dizziness, nausea, headaches, and asthma aggravation. Rooms with new carpets should be well ventilated and aired for a minimum of 3 days.
Smoke
Whether it be from stoves, cooking places, fireplaces or cigarettes, smoke is a major cause of indoor air quality problems. Prolonged exposure to smoke may cause or aggravate respiratory conditions, while continued smoking leads to lung cancer. Homes should be well ventilated to prevent smoke build-up. Smoking inside the home should be highly discouraged.
Household Cleaners & Disinfectants
While most of such substances will scrub your surfaces clean, most form Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) when they combine with the air you breathe. VOCs are also found in other common household materials such as paints and paint removers, adhesives, building materials, and office equipment. Short-term effects of VOCs are shortness of breath, dizziness, and headaches while it may lead to cancer in the long-term
Molds
Mold is common in warm, damp, and dark places in our homes. Such can include places like basements and attics. Leaks in the plumbing pipes within the walls may also cause molds to grow on the wall’s surface. This causes allergic reactions, development of respiratory conditions, and worsening of asthmatic reactions.
Understanding what causes low-quality indoor air will help you know how best to take care of this problem. One of the most effective ways of safeguarding the quality air within the home is to install an HVAC system and have it undergo regular maintenance and inspections. This will keep its air ducts free of dust, dirt, and other air pollutants.
Lincoln AC Experts
Do you want to replace or have an HVAC system installed? Do you doubt that the quality of the air in your home has worsened due to your HVAC’s condition? At Wellmann Heating & Air Inc, we could help you improve your indoor air quality through our HVAC repair and maintenance services. We work with qualified technicians to guarantee you the quality of service. Contact us today and speak to one of our experts about ideal HVAC solutions for your Lincoln home.
