Why is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Important?
info • April 28, 2020
The quality of your indoor air is extremely important. Poor IAQ is not only unpleasant to breathe in, but it can also be dangerous to you, your family, and your guests inside your home and your customers and your employees in your business. In fact, indoor air can be up to 2 to 5 times more polluted than the outside air. A major reason that your IAQ gets overlooked is because it is not something you can directly see or feel. We know that as a homeowner (or business owner) you have many other things to worry about, including the comfort of your home. But did you know that poor IAQ can disrupt your home (or office) comfort?
Consequences of Poor IAQ
- Health Problems : When the home inside your home or business is polluted and full of contaminants, you have poor indoor air quality. And when your building suffers from poor IAQ, you and all other inhabitants are breathing in those contaminants and pollutants. Dust, dirt, debris, mold, mildew, pollen, pet dander, and pest droppings are not meant to be breathed in. When you consistently breath in these pollutants, your health begins to suffer.
Symptoms like coughing, sneezing, skin rashes, eye irritation, nausea, sinus issues, fatigue, and headaches can all become present when living or working in a building with poor IAQ. Some long-term effects can even include respiratory or cardiovascular disease.
- Uncomfortable Moisture Levels : Living here in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, we know the humidity all too well. It can make you feel hot and sweaty and most importantly, uncomfortable. High humidity in your home or office building also encourages mold and mildew growth due to the excess in moisture. Dehumidifiers can help combat the excess moisture in your building.
On the other end of the spectrum is too little moisture in your home which results in dry air. This can cause dry skin, nosebleeds, dry eyes, and other health problems. Dry air can even lead to cracks in your wood floors and furniture. To combat the lack of moisture, you can purchase a humidifier to help balance your air out. If you are unsure what your home needs, give Gwyn a call today and we can consult with you and what would best benefit your home, business, family, and employees!
- Heating & Air Conditioning Issues : When you have a large amount of pollutants in your building, it causes you HVAC system’s air filters to get dirty faster. Dirty filters reduce the airflow in your Winston-Salem, NC building on top of spreading dirt, dust, mold, and other pollutants. When your filters are dirty and clogged, it forces your HVAC system to work harder than it should to heat and cool your home. This puts unnecessary wear and tear on your heating and air conditioning equipment that could have been avoided.
- Increased Energy Bills : Because your HVAC system is now having to work harder for you and not smarter due to the many pollutants clogging your air filters, your energy bills will begin to increase. Even if your ductwork is dirty, it can still cause your system to work harder than usual to keep your home comfortable.
How to Improve Your IAQ
- Clean your home regularly (vacuum, sweep, dust, etc.)
- Use a dehumidifier or humidifier to balance the moisture level
- Avoid using harsh chemicals in your home (cleaners, personal hygiene products, etc.)
- Check your air filters often and change out when necessary
- Properly care and maintain your HVAC system
- Open your windows when the weather allows to improve ventilation
- Call in the professionals at Gwyn Services!
If you are interested in learning more about how your indoor air quality can impact your health and your heating and cooling system, Gwyn Services can help! We offer indoor air quality solutions to improve your buildings IAQ and your overall health and well-being. Call us today at 336-774-1818
to learn more.
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Advice from an Electrician
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