Did you know that 96% of homes have at least one air quality problem? That’s right, it’s almost certain that the air quality in your home could use some improvement.
But what causes poor air quality anyway? And once you know that you have poor air quality, how can you fix it? Keep reading to learn all about various causes of poor home air quality.
Pollutants from Appliances
Believe it or not, your appliances might be impacting your indoor air quality!
Most of these pollutants come from appliances that you use to keep your home (or food) warm. Wood-burning stoves, gas heaters, dryers, and water heaters can all contribute to bad air quality.
It’s a good idea to upgrade your combustion appliances to the most modern versions to minimize damage.
Natural Pollutants
Natural pollutants can also be problematic.
When the air quality in your home doesn’t seem up to par, you open the windows, right? While this can be helpful when it comes to cycling “bad” air out, it also lets pollutants in. These pollutants vary depending on where you live and the time of year.
In some places, pollutants like smoke can find their way into the home from the outdoors. Most of the time, however, pollen and other outdoor allergens are the primary culprits.
Natural pollutants can also come from indoors. Dust mites and pet fur linger in the air, get into the vents, and get deep into carpet fibers. Over time, this impacts air quality.
Mold and mildew are also natural pollutants. If there’s too much moisture in the air, or if there’s a leak somewhere, mold and mildew can build up. If it accumulates in the vents, it can spread throughout the home.
It’s a good idea to have a professional over for HVAC maintenance if you suspect mold or mildew in the vents. For the rest of the pollutants, make sure that you regularly clean your carpets.
Pesticides
You don’t want pests in your home, right? That’s why you use pesticides. They keep the creepy crawlies at bay, but they might also be impacting the air quality in your home.
75% of households use at least one pesticide product without realizing how damaging it can be.
That pesticide spray or trap that you used can linger on the floors, counters, or walls. Pesticides can cause watery eyes, an itchy throat, and more.
If you can’t stop using pesticides in your home, it’s important that you invest in a good air filter.
Poor Air Quality? These Might Be the Culprits
There are plenty of reasons that you might have poor air quality in your home, but these are the most common ones. Natural pollutants, like smoke, dust, pollen, and mold can spread from outdoors or start right in your own home. You might also have pollutants from the appliances that keep you warm or the pesticides that keep your home safe.
If you suspect that your poor air quality is due to dust, mold, or other pollutants in the vents, contact us! One of our experts will be there to investigate and maintain your HVAC system in no time.