Take a deep breath: how do you feel?
Hopefully, that breath was pleasant, refreshing, and easy. If not, you might have poor air quality in your home.
Air quality is a measure that describes the level of pollution in the air around you. There are instruments that can quantify this measure more precisely, but what really matters in the context of indoor air quality is how the air makes you feel. Air that is contaminated with dust, pollen, pet dander, carbon dioxide, and other substances is difficult to breathe and may aggravate respiratory illnesses such as allergies or asthma.
It’s important to keep the air quality in your home as high as possible. If you think the air in your home might not measure up, it’s probably due to one of the following four common causes of poor indoor air quality.
1. Poor Ventilation
Inadequate ventilation is the number-one reason for poor air quality in homes. Without enough circulation to carry stale air and contaminant particles away, they become trapped inside your home until someone breathes them in. You can immediately improve the ventilation in your home by opening up some of your windows, but that isn’t always possible in a Canadian winter. Instead, consider installing a service air exchanger to trade your polluted, stale air for clean, fresh air in all seasons.
2. Dirty or Missing HVAC Filters
Can you remember the last time you changed your HVAC filter? If not, it’s probably been too long. HVAC filters are meant to be replaced every 30 to 90 days. Leaving them in place any longer than that will force the air in your home to travel through a thick layer of trapped dust and dirt each time it is pushed through your system – not good for your air quality!
3. Poorly Maintained HVAC Systems
It’s easy to forget about your HVAC system when it’s running properly, but you should never take this integral part of your home for granted. If it fails, you will quickly notice dust, soot, pollen, and other contaminants build up in the air in your home. To keep this system in peak condition, have your system inspected by a professional at least once a year. You never know if a blockage might be developing or if certain parts might need to be replaced.
4. Poorly Maintained Whole Home Humidifiers
Just like the HVAC systems they are attached to, whole home humidifiers also need periodic maintenance to continue functioning properly. If a humidifier isn’t inspected, cleaned, and refilled on a regular basis, it won’t be able to properly filter contaminants from your home. It may even start to grow mold, exposing your family to harmful spores. Cleaning out your humidifier (or even replacing it entirely) could make a significant difference in the quality of your indoor air.
Start Breathing Better Today
If you’re concerned about the indoor air quality in your home, Syles Mechanical can help you improve it and maintain it at optimal levels. Contact us today at 519-979-2090 or visit us online and let us help you keep the air your family breathes clean and safe.