It’s summer… The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and there are no cold and flu alerts streaming in from the local media, so the air quality in your home should be pretty good, right? Not necessarily. Despite the gorgeous summer weather outside (and the lack of a major flu outbreak), the air inside your home may not be so sparkly and fresh. A silent, often odorless menace, the indoor air quality in your home can dangerously impact your health, unbeknownst to you, year-round.
What Factors Contribute To Low Indoor Air Quality In The Summer?
A tight building envelope and the following poor indoor environmental conditions can create the need for an indoor air quality service when these common summer issues take their toll…
- Moisture (& Mold)
In the summer, high humidity levels not only create an uncomfortable home environment, but support the proliferation of mold and mildew, creating a telltale musty odor and in extreme cases, toxic mold growth. - Microbes
In addition to mold and mildew, high moisture levels also encourage the growth of bacteria and dust mites. For those with allergies and respiratory issues or compromised immune systems, this can lead to serious complications. - Ozone
Highly reactive, ozone is composed of three oxygen atoms (O3). Different from the oxygen we breathe (O2), it is formed by human actions, resulting from chemical reactions from the outgassing of cars, power plants, and factories. You probably know it as ‘smog.’ When it occurs in high levels close to the ground, at the tropospheric level, it can cause a wide variety of health problems, some of them quite serious. When it’s in high concentrations outside, it’s easy for it to find its way into your home. - Pet Hair
Your four-legged friends shed more in the summer months, creating more airborne allergens and dust in the form of hair and dander.
How to Tell if You Have Poor Indoor Air Quality:
- Worsened allergies.
- Frequent illnesses.
- Respiratory issues, such as stuffy nose, frequent coughing and sneezing.
- Watery, irritated eyes.
- Frequent headaches and nosebleeds.
- Excess/rapid dust buildup on surfaces in your home, and around vents.
- Sticky, uncomfortable feeling in the home.
- Visible signs and the telltale odor of mold and mildew.
The condition of indoor air quality in a home is often reflected in its occupants.
How To Improve Indoor Air Quality In The Summer Months
- Regularly Change & Consider Upgrading Your Air Filter
Upgrading to HEPA-style home air filters can reduce a number of harmful particles in the air. - Use a Dehumidifier
To keep the humidity levels in your home in-check: Between 30-50% RH. This will not only help you feel more comfortable, but aid in the control of pollutants like dust mites, bacteria, and mold that love moisture. - Fight Germs
With a UV air purifier. Adding air purification to your HVAC system can help eliminate a range of contaminants. - Improve Ventilation
With exhaust fan systems in high-moisture areas and proper HVAC vent settings. - Keep Pets Groomed
To control dust and allergens. - Weatherize Your Home
Sealing ozone and other harmful pollutants out.
Breathe easier. Create a healthier, happier home with the help of H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.
