These days, air quality is quite the hot topic—the government and weather services issue advisories when the outside air reaches unsafe levels. But according to the EPA, the air indoors might be two to five times more polluted than outdoors—and in extreme cases, it could be up to 100 times more polluted. The spring and summer months bring their own set of challenges to our indoor air quality, but there’s plenty you can do to mitigate any issues, if you know what to look out for.
The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
Between work and home, most of us spend a good portion of our days indoors—up to 90% of our time, according to some estimates. Therefore, if the air inside your house or workplace is polluted, it can have a devastating impact on your health. As the EPA explains, indoor-air pollution can trigger all sorts of unpleasant symptoms, like irritated eyes and nasal passageways, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. It can also exacerbate respiratory problems, like asthma and pneumonia, or even cause heart disease and cancer.
How Spring and Summer Affect Your Air Quality
When it comes to indoor air quality, you have some year-round considerations, but you also have seasonal considerations. Here’s why spring and summer have us all on high alert:
- Pollen: The plants are growing, the seeds are sprouting, and the flowers are blooming. And while all of that makes for a beautiful time of year, it also creates lots of allergy-inducing pollen. That pollen tends to linger in the air and make its way into your home through open or poorly-sealed windows and doors.
- Dust: The snow is messy, but it also serves a very important function, because it covers and dampens dust and dirt. But now that the snow has melted, all of that grime is exposed. And whenever it’s disturbed, it ends up in the air we breathe.
- Pets: Many furry pets have a seasonal wardrobe, so to speak. They have a heavy coat for the winter and a lighter one for the summer. So, when the weather warms up, they shed their winter coats, and pet dander and hair flutters into the air.
- Dirty HVAC Units: By the time the summer rolls around, you haven’t used your A/C unit for quite some time. It’s been sitting there for months, collecting dust and debris. And your A/C will pipe that into your home, if it’s not properly cleaned and maintained.
- Mold and Mildew: In Indiana, the spring and summer months tend to be quite humid. That added moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, which in turn release spores and toxins into the air you breathe.
- The Ozone: As the Harvard Gazette explains, ozone production increases when it’s hot outside. The extra particulates in this build-up can make their way into your home, causing health issues and even damaging your belongings.
Year-Round Contaminants
In addition to the spring and summer-specific considerations, there are also a handful of things to look out for year-round:
- Chemicals: Do you use hair spray, cooking spray, spray-on deodorant, or other aerosols? Each of those chemicals can linger in the air for much longer than you might think. The same is true with household cleaners, like bleach and furniture polish. And don’t forget about cigarettes, incense, and scented candles—anything you burn creates a reaction that sends contaminants into your home.
- Appliances: Do you have gas-powered appliances, such as a stove, water heater, or dryer? Normally, these appliances are perfectly safe. But if the gas isn’t burning properly, those appliances can release carbon monoxide into your home. That’s a huge deal, as high doses of carbon monoxide can be fatal to you and your pets.
- The Home Itself: Did you know that your home—as in, the physical structure itself—can release toxins? For example, you might have asbestos in your insulation or toxins inside of your particle board. Over time, these materials degrade and can contaminate your indoor air.
How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
This time of year can really degrade your air quality, but there are plenty of things you can do to improve it:
- Change Your HVAC Filter: You should be doing this every few months anyway, but it’s even more important during spring and summer. Check your HVAC filter regularly to make sure it’s not all gunked up with dust and debris, and swap it out with a clean one as necessary.
- Get a Whole-House Air Purifier: HVAC filters can be highly effective, but you have a lot of air in your home that never passes through your HVAC system. That’s where a whole-house air purifier comes in—these devices use the latest technology to remove impurities from your home’s air.
- Install a Whole-House Dehumidifier: Mold can be a huge problem during the humid months of an Indiana summer, and if it gets into your air, it can cause some nasty respiratory issues. But a whole-house dehumidifier can help by reducing the moisture in your home so mold and mildew don’t have a chance to grow in the first place.
- Stay on Top of HVAC Maintenance: Your HVAC system is responsible for moving air throughout your home, so if it’s not functioning properly, it can have a significant impact on your indoor air quality. Scheduling regular maintenance will help ensure everything is clean and clear and will keep you breathing easy.
Breathe your best this season by making sure you stay on top of your indoor air quality. And if you need some assistance, our techs are versed in all of the tips, tricks, and top-of the line IAQ technology. Give us a call today to see how we can help!