subject: Improving Your Indoor Air Quality [print this page] The quality of the air in your home or apartment is very important to your overall health. If your air quality is poor, you may experience a variety of adverse health effects that can cause a difficulty of breathing, headaches, sinus and other infections, and general discomfort. Poor air quality is responsible for a large number of illnesses in both children and adults. If you suspect that your indoor air quality is poor, it may be caused by your HVAC system. You can take specific steps to improve the quality of your indoor air and create a healthier living environment for you and your family.
The Risk of Allergens and Impurities
Many families have members that deal with allergies on a regular basis. Allergies can be a horrible experience to deal with and can cause horrible discomfort and destroy your quality of life. Individuals with allergies to pet dander, dust, or dust mites can experience itchy or watery eyes, a runny nose, a sinus congestion, an itchy and scratchy throat, and many other complications that can make everyday life very difficult.
If the cause of allergies is not treated, allergic reactions can develop into other serious complications. Persistent allergies can lower your immune system and make you less able to fight off serious infections. If your allergies are being caused by the quality of your air, you can take steps to improve your air quality.
Cleaning Your Ducts
Often, the biggest culprit for poor indoor air quality is dirty ductwork. The ductwork is the system of metal tubes and columns within the walls, ceiling, and floor of your home that distribute air from your HVAC system to other areas of your home. Ductwork can deliver both hot and cold air. However, the ductwork can become filled with dirt, dust, and debris that can then be delivered with the temperate air to your lungs.
If you have pests, the feces of rats and mice can also accumulate in ductwork and deliver harmful bacteria to the air in your home. Hiring a duct cleaning service can help to improve the overall quality of the air in your home. When you clean your ducts, you may notice improvements in allergy symptoms almost immediately. However, cleaning your ducts can cause an immediate flare-up in allergy symptoms as the impurities in your ductwork are flushed out.
Installing Air Filters
Another good way to improve the quality of indoor air in your home is to install high quality air filters in your HVAC system. Air filters are rectangular panels that contain a close knit network of fibers that are designed to trap dust and debris. If a filter becomes saturated with dirt and dust, it may be incapable of purifying the air any longer.
This is why it is very important to regularly check and change out your air filters. Some HVAC systems contain permanent air filtration systems which may eliminate the need to purchase additional filters. While these systems are sometimes more expensive, they are much more adept at pulling dangerous impurities from the air, and delivering a clean and healthy source of air to various locations in your home.
