Indoor Air Quality FAQs

Dust and grime around your home can be more than just sore on the eyes. It can have both short and long term effects on your health.

Why Should I Care About My Indoor Air Quality?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the levels of indoor air pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor levels.

We spend so much time indoors, especially during the current global pandemic, that harmful levels of dust, mold, pollen, chemicals, viruses, and more can have significant long and short term effects on your health.

How Can Indoor Air Quality Impact My Health?

Poor indoor air quality conditions can lead to potential health problems both immediate and long term. Additionally, an individual with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues may experience their symptoms worsening due to air quality conditions.

What Are Common Symptoms Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality?

Symptoms that can be linked to indoor air quality include:

• Dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

• Hypersensitivity and allergies

• Sinus congestion

• Coughing and sneezing

• Dizziness

• Nausea

If these symptoms are frequent, and you only feel them in that space, it may be a sign of poor indoor air quality.

Some of these symptoms can be caused by other health conditions, making it difficult to know if IAQ is the culprit.

What Are Signs of Good Indoor Air Quality?

Good indoor air quality could include comfortable temperature and humidity, good ventilation (which will help with the adequate supply of fresh outdoor air), and control of pollutants.

What Are Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality?

If your indoor environment has uneven or inadequate temperatures, weird levels of humidity, poor air circulation, or ventilation issues, you may have poor indoor air quality.

Also, the presence of dust, mold, mildew, bacteria, or weird odor could be another sign.

What Can Contribute to Your Indoor Air Quality?

Your indoor air quality can be impacted by many factors, including:

• Moisture

• Humidity

• Mold

• Carbon monoxide

• Asbestos

• Uncleaned air filters

• Formaldehyde

• Smoking

• Pets

• Pollen

• Radon

• Dust mites

• Inadequate ventilation

• High temperatures

• Chemicals from cleaning products or paint

How Can I Improve My Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality can be improved by improving ventilation and installing air filters or humidifiers.

Robinson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Conditioning, Inc. offers both air filters and humidifiers to help improve your indoor air quality.

How Often Should I Change My Air Filter?

Depending on the type of air filter you have, you should be changing typical filters at least once every two to three months, or if you have a box-type filter, you should be replacing it at least once a year.

Air filters contribute to the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems as well as the quality of your air within your home or business. They improve the quality of your indoor air because they’re able to reduce irritants (pollen, bacteria, mold).

What Do Humidifiers Do For My IAQ?

Humidifiers are usually used in the winter months when your home can become dry. You may increase dry air, which causes chapped lips, coughing, and other respiratory or nasal issues.

A humidifier is useful because it adds moisture to the air in addition to improving the efficiency of your home’s heating system.

Can Plants Help Improve Your Indoor Air Quality?

Plants are another way to improve indoor air quality. They can also double as decor. Since they do not do all the work, you will want to be sure to follow other ways to keep your indoor air clean, as well as clean them often since they can attract dust. Certain plants help clear the air of low levels of bacteria.

Robinson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., are experts within the Middleton, Ohio area, and can provide top-notch assistance with your indoor air quality. Call us at (513) 422-2070 for all your HVAC needs!