Heat and Air Conditioning
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2021-09-06

Does an Energy-Efficient Home Affect Air Quality?

Today's homes are built with energy efficiency in mind. Extra insulation and securely sealed doors and windows are required to keep heating and cooling expenses reasonable. While this is beneficial to your heating and cooling bills, it is not so beneficial to your interior air quality.

Because air has fewer opportunities to escape, pollutants can collect and lower the quality of your home's interior air. In truth, your home’s air might potentially be 2–5 times worse than the outside, according to research. That is bad for everyone, but it is especially bad for family members who have allergies, asthma, other respiratory problems, or heart disease.

Let's take a look at some of the most common contaminants and how you may improve the indoor air quality in your home.

5 Everyday Pollutants that Affect Indoor Air Quality:

When you think about contaminants, you might imagine smog or cigarette smoke. However, many of the chemicals that have an influence on your air quality are commonplace. Chemicals known as volatile organic compounds are among them.

They include:

  1. Aerosol sprays, bleach, and window cleaner are examples of cleaning products.
  2. Hairspray, perfume, and nail polish are examples of personal care items.
  3. Air fresheners and candles
  4. Furniture, window coverings, and rugs, particularly if they are spanking new.
  5. Stains & Paints

Other everyday pollutants include:

  • Dust
  • Pet dander
  • Pollen

Symptoms of VOC Exposure

Some persons are more susceptible to VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) than others. VOC exposure symptoms include:

  • Nose and throat irritation
  • Headache
  • Tired

In some cases, VOCs are connected to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.

Easy 3: Working on Improving Indoor Air Quality

It is not difficult to enhance the air quality in your home. Here are a few recommendations by experts:

  1. Keep Your Home Clean

Cleaning and washing surfaces that attract allergies, such as furniture, carpet, and bedding, regularly will help reduce dust, dust mites, and pet dander in your home.

  1. Change your Air Filter

This essential filter keeps your home warm and the air healthy. The frequency with which you should change your air filter depends on the type of filter you use. Flat filters should be replaced once a month, and pleated filters once every three months. If you're unsure whether your filter needs to be replaced, take it out and hold it up to the light. You must be able to see light through it, if not, replace it.

If you or someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, we recommend installing a filter with a higher MERV rating. The higher the number, the better your filter is in removing pollutants.

  1. Improve Natural Ventilation

Open windows whenever the weather permits to bring fresh air into your home. We also propose that you switch on exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen on a regular basis to eliminate pollutants and bring in more fresh air.

If you are thinking about the maintenance and modernization of your properties, look nowhere. Our mission is to provide quality services that exceed our customer’s expectations. We will innovate in our field of expertise and lead the industry using best practices. To learn more about Soul Mechanical contact us!

Today's homes are built with energy efficiency in mind. Extra insulation and securely sealed doors and windows are required to keep heating and cooling expenses reasonable. While this is beneficial to your heating and cooling bills, it is not so beneficial to your interior air quality.

Because air has fewer opportunities to escape, pollutants can collect and lower the quality of your home's interior air. In truth, your home’s air might potentially be 2–5 times worse than the outside, according to research. That is bad for everyone, but it is especially bad for family members who have allergies, asthma, other respiratory problems, or heart disease.

Let's take a look at some of the most common contaminants and how you may improve the indoor air quality in your home.

5 Everyday Pollutants that Affect Indoor Air Quality:

When you think about contaminants, you might imagine smog or cigarette smoke. However, many of the chemicals that have an influence on your air quality are commonplace. Chemicals known as volatile organic compounds are among them.

They include:

  1. Aerosol sprays, bleach, and window cleaner are examples of cleaning products.
  2. Hairspray, perfume, and nail polish are examples of personal care items.
  3. Air fresheners and candles
  4. Furniture, window coverings, and rugs, particularly if they are spanking new.
  5. Stains & Paints

Other everyday pollutants include:

  • Dust
  • Pet dander
  • Pollen

Symptoms of VOC Exposure

Some persons are more susceptible to VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) than others. VOC exposure symptoms include:

  • Nose and throat irritation
  • Headache
  • Tired

In some cases, VOCs are connected to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.

Easy 3: Working on Improving Indoor Air Quality

It is not difficult to enhance the air quality in your home. Here are a few recommendations by experts:

  1. Keep Your Home Clean

Cleaning and washing surfaces that attract allergies, such as furniture, carpet, and bedding, regularly will help reduce dust, dust mites, and pet dander in your home.

  1. Change your Air Filter

This essential filter keeps your home warm and the air healthy. The frequency with which you should change your air filter depends on the type of filter you use. Flat filters should be replaced once a month, and pleated filters once every three months. If you're unsure whether your filter needs to be replaced, take it out and hold it up to the light. You must be able to see light through it, if not, replace it.

If you or someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, we recommend installing a filter with a higher MERV rating. The higher the number, the better your filter is in removing pollutants.

  1. Improve Natural Ventilation

Open windows whenever the weather permits to bring fresh air into your home. We also propose that you switch on exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen on a regular basis to eliminate pollutants and bring in more fresh air.

If you are thinking about the maintenance and modernization of your properties, look nowhere. Our mission is to provide quality services that exceed our customer’s expectations. We will innovate in our field of expertise and lead the industry using best practices. To learn more about Soul Mechanical contact us!