When we think of air pollution, we normally think of the outside air, but the EPA ranks indoor air quality as a top 5 environmental risk to the population’s health. Not only are we spending more time indoors, but our homes are becoming more energy efficient and air tight which keeps contaminants inside the home. Before you can challenge the things negatively affecting your indoor air, you must first recognize what these things are.
1. Humidity Levels
Your home’s humidity is a tough situation – you don’t want to have too much humidity because that can increase the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. If your air is too dry it might cause respiratory issues and increases the likelihood of getting a cold or flu due to damage to your mucous membranes. Both low and high humidity may damage your furniture and woodwork. Luckily, with the help of humidifiers and dehumidifiers, homeowners are able to control the humidity levels of their home and keep it at that just-right humidity level.
2. Allergens
The bedroom is where most allergens are in your house, with the most common indoor allergen, dust mites. Dust mite droppings are the one of the largest producers of allergy and asthma symptoms. If you have pets, there’s also the matter of pet dander which could also be irritating your allergies. Keep your bedroom dust-free using a vacuum with a HEPA filter and wash your bedding regularly. If your symptoms go on, it may be time to consider a whole-home air filtration system. One of our professionals can walk you through the options and identify the system that would work best for you.
3. Household Chemicals and Odors
The smell of last night’s dinner shouldn’t still be in the air of the house the following night. While air fresheners might mask the problem, the chemicals they generate might create other issues. The same can be said about household cleaners. That fresh, clean smell can cause headaches and eye, throat and lung irritation. They also pose a threat to children and elderly people with respiratory issues. Again, a Lennox® whole-home filtration system could be just what your home needs.
The air you breathe should be factoring in to your health and comfort and we want to help ensure it does. We know you’re doing all you can do to keep your home comfortable. Let us lend you our knowledge. If you have any questions for us or would like an in-home air assessment give us a call at 847-362-0262.