6 Common Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can’t be seen, but this invisible hazard can impact your health and comfort. Watch for these signs of poor indoor air quality in your Pontiac, Illinois, home so you can take action if your house is indeed affected. Poor air quality isn’t something you have to live with. If you do have issues with the quality of air in your home, our technicians at Popejoy Plumbing, Heating, Electric and Geothermal can help.

Cold Symptoms That Don’t Go Away

Poor indoor air quality causes many symptoms that can be mistaken for a cold or flu. These include:

• Coughing.
• Sneezing.
• Nausea.
• Dizziness.
• Irritated eyes, nose, and throat.

If you have these symptoms for longer than a week or two, you may not be dealing with a cold. Pay attention to your symptoms, and make a note of when they occur. Does the discomfort worsen at home but get better when you’re at work or school? If your symptoms typically occur in the house and don’t go away with time, indoor air quality is likely to blame.

Unexplained Skin Rashes

Redness and skin rashes are associated with many indoor air pollutants. You might also notice especially irritated skin or dry, cracked mucous membranes. If you can’t find another cause for these symptoms, look into your air quality, as this could be the invisible culprit.

Indoor Air Quality Can Cause Difficulty Sleeping

Indoor air pollutants can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. One study found that people were 60 percent more likely to experience low sleep efficiency if they were in an area with high levels of air pollution. Low sleep efficiency was defined as sleeping less than 88 percent of the time that one was in bed.

Your home’s temperature and humidity level can impact your sleep quality as well. If you’re not getting the sleep that you should at night, addressing issues with your HVAC system can help in several ways.

Dust Buildup

Examine the air vents around your home. Do you see a visible buildup of dust on and around them? Can you see visible dust on your air filter within a month of changing it? These are signs that you have an unusually high level of dust and other pollutants in your home. A standard filter may not be adequate for your needs. Consider upgrading to a more advanced air filter to capture the dust in your living space.

Hot and Cold Spots

Hot and cold spots occur in areas where the air isn’t circulating properly in your home. This may happen because your HVAC system is too small for your square footage and can’t properly handle the amount of air in your space. Clogged ducts or a poorly maintained cooling system could also be to blame.

If you don’t get even temperatures throughout your home, you’re probably not getting even filtration, either. Those areas that are persistently hot and cold may have pockets of irritants and pollutants as well. Our technicians can examine your HVAC system to determine the cause of your hot and cold spots and help you come up with a solution for even temperatures and proper filtration.

Unpleasant Odors Due to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Unpleasant odors are often the result of stagnant air. These might indicate a biological growth from high humidity or a buildup of pollen, dust, and dander from a space that isn’t getting the filtration and air cleaning that it needs. If you have unwanted smells in your house, you might benefit from a duct cleaning to give you a fresh start.

If you notice ordinary smells that linger longer than they should, this is a sign that your home doesn’t have proper circulation. If the odors from last night’s dinner are still there the next day, there’s a good chance that pollutants are hanging out as well.

If you’re dealing with IAQ problems, we can help. Contact Popejoy Plumbing, Heating, Electric and Geothermal to learn more about indoor air quality solutions such as central filtration, UV lamps, and mechanical ventilation. We’ll help you design a solution that’s built for your home’s distinct needs. Call us today at (815) 692-4471.

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