How much dust is in your air? How about mold spores, mildew, and pet dander? It’s something you probably don’t like to think about, but the question is an important one, especially if you have those who suffer from allergies or asthma in your home. You need to know what contaminants are in your air so you’re better equipped to eliminate them. Here are some ways to measure air quality and improve it so that you can breathe more easily.
Ways to Measure Air Quality
Look for signs of poor IAQ. Things like coughing, sneezing, and sinus congestion are common, along with other allergy symptoms. Dry skin and eye irritation can happen also. If there are more serious contaminants in your home, such as Volatile Organic Compounds, you might experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.
Another good rule of thumb is to check your HVAC air filter. Ordinarily, it should be replaced every few months. However, if it routinely gets clogged more quickly, it could be a sign that the contaminant levels in your home are unusually high and perhaps a bit more than your filter can handle.
Finally, if you really want to get an accurate measurement of your IAQ, call your HVAC technician to test your air. Special electronic devices measure the amount of harmful contaminants in your air and can tell you clearly how good or bad it is.
Improving Indoor Air Quality
First, reduce your use of Volatile Organic Compounds. Look for all-natural cleaning products and paints, labeled as having low or no VOCs.
Be sure to change your air filter regularly to keep it functioning at peak efficiency. However, your regular HVAC filter might not be enough. You might consider upgrading to an air purifier with a HEPA filter. These filters can remove 99.97% of the contaminants in your home, down to 0.3 microns. That means it can eliminate cigarette smoke, aerosol particles, and even viruses and bacteria.
For more ways to measure air quality and improve it, contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company today. We keep Yuma comfortable and breathing easy all year long.
