When we think of air pollution, we typically think of the air outdoors, but the EPA ranks indoor air quality as a top 5 environmental risk to our general health. Not only are we spending more time indoors, but our homes are becoming more energy efficient and air tight which keeps pollutants inside the home. Before you can challenge the things negatively impacting your indoor air, you must first recognize what these things are.
1. Humidity Levels
Your home’s humidity is a unique situation – you don’t want to have too much humidity because that can increase the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. If your air is overly dry it can leave you with respiratory problems and boosts the likelihood of ending up with a cold or flu due to damage to your mucous membranes. Both low and high humidity have the ability to damage your furniture and woodwork. Luckily, with the assistance of humidifiers and dehumidifiers, homeowners are able to regulate the humidity levels of their home and keep it at that perfect humidity level.
2. Allergens
The bedroom is where most allergens are in your house, with the most common indoor allergen, dust mites. Dust mite droppings are the one of the most prevalent causes of allergy and asthma symptoms. If you have pets, there’s also the matter of pet dander which could also be worsening your allergies. Keep your bedroom dust-free utilizing a vacuum with a HEPA filter and wash your bedding on a regular basis. If your symptoms persist, it could be time to consider a whole-home air filtration system. One of our professionals can walk you through the options and find the system that would work best for you.
3. Household Chemicals and Odors
The smell of last night’s dinner shouldn’t still be hanging around the house the following night. While air fresheners may mask the problem, the chemicals they generate could create other issues. The same can be said about household cleaners. That fresh, clean smell may cause headaches and eye, throat and lung irritation. They also pose a risk to children and elderly people with respiratory issues. Again, a Lennox® whole-home filtration system could be just what your home needs.
The air you breathe should be contributing to your health and comfort and we want to help be sure it does. We know you’re doing all you can do to keep your home comfortable. Let us provide you with our knowledge. If you have any questions for us or would like an in-home air assessment give us a call at 877-389-2465.