What Affects the Air Quality of Your Home

  • Post category:Blog

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within your home. It has become an important issue for homeowners and health professionals since studies have identified several contaminants present in indoor air. These include volatile organic compounds, tobacco smoke, volatile organic compounds, combustion products, and more.

However, proper ventilation and elimination of these sources can help maintain the air quality of your home.

Ventilation Problems

Building materials, chemicals, and emissions from fireplaces, cigarettes, and stoves contribute to indoor air problems. Moreover, inadequate ventilation and insulation to weatherize a home to save energy costs reduce air circulation and trap contaminants.

Ventilation filters that are not replaced regularly become clogged and reduce airflow volume and quality. As a result, you may find molds growing on walls and ceilings.

Combustion Products

Combustion pollutants are produced by burning wood, natural gas, kerosene, or tobacco. Combustion products that are not properly vented generate pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and other respirable particulates. These potent irritants can cause various health issues like burning sensation, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea.

Organic Vapors

Most household products release organic vapors that can have adverse health effects. These products include fuels, paints, cleaners, deodorizers, and disinfectants. Formaldehyde is another pollutant found in new construction materials, paneling fiberboard, cigarette smoke, and many consumer products.

Bio-aerosols

Bio-aerosol refers to the airborne collection of biological material and comprises bacteria cells, fungal hyphae, viruses, and fungal spores. When released into the air, they can be distributed throughout the home by the HVAC system. Factors contributing to the growth of biological contaminants include moist building materials, poorly maintained humidifiers, and air conditioners.

How to Improve Air Quality

To help improve the air quality in your home, have your air conditioner filters changed. Check the air filters in other household appliances for regular maintenance and examine your air ducts for proper air distribution throughout your home to provide a comfortable climate. Moreover, keeping your rugs and carpets clean will help you get rid of pet dander and dust that affect the air quality.

Ceiling ventilation

For reliable air quality testing in Atlanta, our professional home inspectors at Whole House Home Inspections have got you covered. In addition, we also provide termite inspection, mold inspection, infrared inspection, and radon testing to help home sellers and buyers make informed decisions.

For more information contact us today.