Keeping your home safe and healthy is a top priority. While checking fire alarms and locking doors goes a long way, some health and safety concerns are harder to detect.
Home air quality has become a popular topic over the past few years. Here are six signs that the air quality in your home is bad and what to do about it.
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You Discover Temperature Inconsistencies
One of the subtle signs of air quality issues is temperature inconsistencies within the home. If you notice hot or cold spots, your airflow is somehow impeded. This issue typically indicates a problem with your HVAC system. Many homeowners notice this problem more during the summer months in relation to their air conditioning.
Your air conditioning unit may not be appropriately sized for your home. Conversely, there could be an issue with the coils or blowers. Scheduling an annual AC service check-up will help prevent this issue from happening. If you notice this problem more in the winter, you could be facing similar problems with your furnace. Again, an annual maintenance visit will help maintain proper airflow and prevent hot or cold spots.
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You Haven’t Cleaned Filters Or Vents
If you’ve never cleaned your air filters or vents, you can guarantee that your air quality is negatively impacted. Cleaning the filters in your furnace, air conditioner, mini-splits, etc., will help prevent dust build-up. Excess dust not only diminishes the air quality but also causes your HVAC system to be less efficient. In other words, you’ll pay more in electricity for the same level of output you’d get with clean filters.
While wiping down and vacuuming vent covers is an excellent spring cleaning task, it’s worth investing in a total vent blowout. This will remove the build-up in your ventilation beyond where your vacuum can reach.
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You Notice Excess Moisture
Having some humidity in your home is a good thing, but as the saying goes, too much of a good thing isn’t good at all. If you have streams of water running down your windows in the morning, your home humidity levels are off. This issue could indicate a damaged seal in the windows or could speak to a more significant problem with your HVAC system.
If your bathrooms have fans, check to ensure they don’t vent into the attic. If they do, have an HVAC specialist correct the issue. If you don’t have fans in bathrooms, invest in them.
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Your Skin Is Dry And Cracked
Too little humidity is also bad for your body. Humans are made of water, and we require a bit of moisture in the air to thrive. If you notice your skin is dry and cracked, or you wake up feeling parched, your home is likely too dry. Nosebleeds are another sign of dry air.
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You Get Sick Often
One of the most telling signs that the air quality is off is a recurring illness. If your household continuously has sniffles or feels unwell (headaches, nausea, etc.), your air quality could be a serious issue. These issues could arise from the presence of mold, increased levels of allergens, or even exposure to chemicals.
Consider having your air quality tested and ruling out any HVAC issues. If there’s no apparent cause, invest in a few plug-in air purifiers.
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You Notice Increased Dust
If your home suddenly seems dustier than usual, there’s likely an issue with your HVAC system. It could be as simple as needing new filters. However, it’s important to deal with this issue and find the cause, as dust is an allergen that can cause irritation and illness.
If you notice any signs of poor air quality, consider having your home tested. Work with an HVAC specialist to ensure all of your systems are fully functional. Then, invest in a few purifiers and create a cleaning schedule to keep allergens out.
