Do you get frequent headaches, fatigue, dizziness, or cold-like symptoms whenever you are home? If you answered, “Yes,” you may have bad indoor air quality.
When your indoor air quality (IAQ) is poor, it can cause havoc on your health. The mildest effects are allergy symptoms, but if your indoor air quality is bad enough, it can even cause lung damage or worse.
Contributors to bad indoor air quality include:
- Carbon Monoxide
- Pollutants
- Particulate matter
- Pollen
- Dust
- Mold spores
- Bacteria
- Viruses (ie., COVID-19, SARS-CoV2)
- Pet Dander
Don’t risk your health or the health of your loved ones. If you suspect that your home’s air isn’t the cleanest, call on your trusted local air specialists, the cooling and heating experts at Action Air Conditioning. We can provide you with an air quality test and offer you solutions to clear your air and help you breathe well again.
Not sure if you have bad indoor air quality? No problem! There are many ways to determine if your home’s air is in trouble. Read on to discover 4 signs that your indoor air quality is bad.
The Relationship Between Indoor Air Quality and HVAC Systems
Compromised indoor air quality (IAQ) can adversely affect your health. The effects can range from allergies to respiratory and heart issues and cancer. For instance, allergies may lead to irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. In addition, you may experience headaches, fatigue, or dizziness. Unmaintained HVAC systems may contribute to indoor pollutants.
Neglected HVAC units cause clogged air filters, ruptured ducts, and stale air circulation. Pollutants can circulate throughout your home, which may harm your health. However, contaminants in your home can also spread throughout your AC system. Regardless of the origin, there can be significant health consequences.
Don’t risk you or your loved ones’ health. If you suspect contamination in the air in your home, reach out to Action Air Conditioning. They are your trusted local heating and air conditioning specialists. As HVAC experts, we can check your air quality test. We’ll find the source of the contamination. Then, we will recommend ways to improve your indoor air and HVAC unit.
Top 4 Signs of Bad Indoor Air Quality
#1 Excessive Dust Collection
A clogged air filter becomes ineffective at removing pollutants from the air. This limits airflow through the filter and ventilation system.
When contaminants accumulate, they can negatively affect your health and AC system. To check your air quality, look for dust in your home. Finding dust soon after cleaning means indoor air quality is deteriorating.
Upon noticing dust, check your vents and AC filter. Experts suggest changing your AC filter at least every 90 days. More so, ensure that you do not block any of your vents. Blocked vents will increase air quality issues.
If your filter and vents are clean but you are still worried about your air quality, schedule a check with an HVAC pro. Having professionals evaluate your home prevents issues with your health and HVAC system. If you’re a Tampa Bay resident, consult our Action Air Conditioning. Our skilled technicians will quickly identify and resolve the problem.
#2 Lingering Smells
You can expect that unpleasant odors will dissipate in a well-ventilated home. If smells remain at night from the morning, indoor air quality has decreased. Persistent odors may originate from your HVAC system or your home. For example, mold and mildew can grow in your attic or on your evaporator coil. These odors may be signs of bad indoor air quality.
With asbestos or radon, you may only see health-related symptoms. However, both are odorless. While asbestos can be found in old building materials, radon is a radioactive gas that can enter your home through open gaps. Asbestos can cause breathing problems. Radon may cause lung disease and nerve issues. Knowing these potential sources will help you prevent them from becoming a problem.
Persistent odors may indicate microorganisms and pollutants. However, some threats can harm your indoor air quality without warning. Your HVAC unit can remove most lingering smells with the right air filters. Since contaminants may affect your home and health, experts recommend keeping up with routine maintenance.
#3 Cool and Warm
If one room feels cool while the other is warm, your home may have an uneven temperature distribution. Areas that are too hot or cold may have pollutants. Inadequate ventilation can also increase pollutant levels, worsening indoor air quality issues.
Uneven temperatures may indicate your AC ducts are leaking or improperly installed. Leaking ducts spread contaminants, which temperature changes can exacerbate. For example, mold thrives in hot and moist spaces.
When you turn on your AC, every room should cool your home evenly. If that isn’t the case, consult a skilled HVAC technician to find the root of your air quality issues.
#4 High Humidity or Low Humidity
The humidity in your home should be between 40 to 60%. When the humidity is high, it leads to bacteria, mold, and dust mite reproduction. If it plummets below 40%, everything, including viruses, hangs in the air longer.
With COVID-19 a potential threat during cold and flu season, viruses are the last thing you want in your home. Having humidity within a normal range will prevent microorganisms from thriving.
If your HVAC is too large or your home is drafty, your AC won’t run long enough to remove excess moisture from the air. That’s because your AC cycles on and off too quickly to dehumidify the air. Alternatively, one that’s too small may run all day, drying out your air too much.
Either scenario is bad for indoor air quality and needs to be remedied!
Indoor Air Quality Testing Service and HVAC Maintenance in Tampa Florida
At Action Air Conditioning in Tampa Bay, Florida, we prioritize indoor air quality. More importantly, we care about your budget. That’s why our technicians will always consider your needs and provide you with the most suitable options.
When you suspect bad indoor air quality, our experts and staff are ready to provide rapid solutions.
We assist our customers with installations, repairs, and system maintenance, improving comfort in your home through careful investigation and innovative technology. For trustworthy and reliable service, rely on
Contact Action Air Conditioning today to speak with our customer service specialists or schedule a free estimate!
Originally Published: Febuary 3, 2022