Learn About Indoor Air Quality & How You Can Improve It

Your home’s air quality has always been important. But, with more and more people working and going to school from home, the air you and your family breathe every day needs to be as fresh and healthy as possible. Many newer homes are nearly airtight, which can be great for energy efficiency but also means that the air in the home is getting circulated again and again. To make sure the air you breathe is as healthy as possible, you might want to investigate an indoor air quality system.

You may not be entirely sure what indoor air quality is, or how poor indoor air can affect your home. And, you may not know how to improve it. In this guide, you’ll learn about indoor air quality – what it is, how it can affect you, and how you can improve it. We’ll share some pointers that can help you to start getting better indoor air quality today, and tell you about products that are available that can help you and your family breathe easier!

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Defined

The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, defines indoor air quality as “the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of the building’s occupants.” The EPA goes on to say that by understanding and controlling the common pollutants often found in indoor air, you can reduce your risk of health concerns.

They add that indoor air quality may cause certain health-related issues if it isn’t cleared of contaminants, including:

• Eye irritation
• Nasal irritation
• Throat irritation
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

In general, if you remove yourself from the source of these pollutants and get fresher, cleaner air, these problems will likely go away on their own. Unfortunately, prolonged exposure to these irritants can lead to problems with the respiratory system and other, more long-term health concerns. If you or your family have any of the above symptoms, fortunately there are measures you can take to ensure that the air inside your home is not the cause of them.

Causes of Indoor Air Quality Issues

While there are many things that can cause your home to have poor indoor air quality, the most likely suspect is indoor particulate matter. There are numerous microscopic particles in the air at any given time, but there are some that can cause irritation and even illness. Some of these include:

• Dirt
• Dust
• Cooking, Wood, and Tobacco Smoke
• Pet Dander
• Spores
• Pollen
• Viruses
• Bacteria

Because of the microscopic nature of these particles, they can get into your respiratory system via the simple act of breathing. That’s why removing them from your indoor air is important. They can cause the symptoms listed in the previous section, and can be particularly problematic to people suffering from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues.

Improving IAQ: Some Simple Measures

Naturally, if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed you’ll likely want to take some steps to improve your indoor air quality as soon as possible. There are a few measures you can take right away to help improve your IAQ, including:

• Change the filter on your HVAC system regularly. The point of the filter is to trap contaminants and keep them from entering your indoor air. When your filter becomes clogged and dirty, those particulates will be forced back into your indoor air – and back into your lungs.
• Keeping windows closed on high-pollen days. If you suffer from allergies, you probably keep your eye on the pollen count before heading out for the day. But, pollen can travel easily and enter your home through an open window.
• Take off outerwear and shoes before entering your home. Because pollen and other particulates can cling to you when you’re outdoors, one measure you can take is to leave coats, hats, and shoes on the porch or entryway.
• Become friends with your vacuum. Maybe vacuuming isn’t your favorite household chore, but it’s a necessary one. Carpeting is notorious for holding in all sorts of particulates, especially dust, dirt, and dander. Regular vacuuming can help mitigate those pollutants in your home.

Making these changes right away can be helpful, bit they might not reduce indoor air pollution enough that you and your family are comfortable. If you take these measures, but still notice that your eyes, nose, and throat are irritated, or that there’s a lot of dust on your furniture and even in the air, you’ll likely want to consider products that are made to improve indoor air quality.

The IAQ Products You Need from Degree Heating & Cooling

Nowadays, it is much easier to get the indoor air quality products you need to enjoy fresher, cleaner indoor air. Learn about the products Degree Heating & Cooling offers to help homeowners just like you get the indoor air quality they deserve.

• Carrier Infinity Air Purifier: The Carrier Infinity Air Purifier can help slow the spread of infectious diseases and other particles in your home’s air. Featuring the patented Carrier Captures & Kills technology, this air purifier offers proven effectiveness, inactivating 99 percent of the viruses and germs it captures when used as instructed, including coronavirus, common cold surrogate, streptococcus bacteria, and human influenza.
• Carrier Bypass Humidifier: Especially during the cold winter months, the air in our homes can become dry. That’s because your home’s heating system is running more often, and can dry out the air. This can lead to a whole host of concerns, such as dry, flaky skin, irritated nasal passages, itchy eyes, static cling, and creaking floorboards and furniture. But, keeping the air in your home properly humidified is easy, when you install a Carrier Bypass Humidifier.
• Carrier UV Lights: Mold and mildew can be a real cause for concern for homeowners. Mold and mildew can leave an unpleasant odor wherever they grow. Even more, they can trigger allergies and other respiratory issues when they circulate through your home’s air. Fortunately, there is a way you can easily prevent them – Carrier UV Lights.
• The iWave-R: Unfortunately, your AC system can help circulate unwanted particles throughout your home. Luckily, there is a way to prevent this from happening – the iWave-R air treatment system. This system can kill mold, bacteria, and viruses, as well as reducing allergens, smoke, static electricity, odors, and other particles that can make your indoor air quality unpleasant.

Degree Heating & Cooling is ready to help with your indoor air quality concerns.

At Degree, your comfort is always our top priority. We want to help you enjoy the best indoor air quality possible. Schedule a FREE Indoor Air Quality Consultation Today! Contact us or call (860) 633-6122 to find out how Degree Heating & Cooling can help you get the indoor air quality solutions you need for your home.