Indoor Air Quality Testing: 7 Signs That Your Home Air Quality Is Bad

Are you coughing, sneezing, and fighting illness all the time? Your home might need indoor air quality testing. Here are 7 signs your home air quality is bad.

Keyword(s): Indoor Air Quality Testing

Nothing could be as important as the air we breathe. And when we spend 90% of our lives indoors, maintaining good indoor air quality should be a top priority.

Though it’s something most people typically don’t worry about. Not that they don’t care. They don’t realize how important indoor air quality is to their family’s health and well-being.

So when should you start to get concerned? And how do you know if you need indoor air quality testing?

Let’s look at 7 signs that could be warning you that your home’s air quality is bad.

1. You Feel Like You’re Always Cleaning

Housework seems to be a never-ending chore. But if you find yourself dusting more than usual and notice a constant layer of dirt throughout your home, you could have a filtration issue.

Dirt and dust naturally make their way into your vents. When you have a clean air filter and properly functioning ductwork, the dirt and dust get trapped there. And when it’s trapped, it’s unable to blow back into your home.

But if you have a clogged filter or you haven’t had your vents cleaned out in some time, the dirt doesn’t have anywhere else to go. And your HVAC system blows it back and circulates it throughout your house.

2. Your Allergies Are Going Haywire

Allergies can come and go with the seasons. And if you have allergies, chances are you’ve experienced a sneezing or coughing fit as soon as you walked out your front door.

But what if your allergies seem worse when you’re indoors?

Dust particles, pollen, pet dander, and other nuisances can build-up in a home if the HVAC system isn’t working properly. And that can lead to poor home air quality.

Pay attention to when and where your allergies act up and when they subside. If you find your home is the hotbed of activity, it’s time to think about indoor air quality testing.

3. There Are Humidity Issues

The moisture level in the air can have a huge impact on the condition of your home, your health, and your comfort. And when your humidity levels are off, your air quality will suffer.

If you’re constantly getting a static shock every time you touch something, your wallpaper is drying and peeling, and your plants keep drying out, your air humidity is too low. It may also be causing you to have dry eyes and skin, sinus issues, and increased upper respiratory infections.

On the flip side, signs of high humidity is the presence of mold growth and increased allergy issues with a stickiness in the air.

Luckily, humidity issues clear up with humidifiers or dehumidifiers, depending on the moisture level needs of your home’s air.

4. There’s A Smell That Won’t Go Away

Did you burn popcorn two nights ago and notice you can still smell it? Or is there a stagnant, musty smell in the house you can’t find the source of?

Your home’s air exchange is supposed to exhaust stale air out of your house and circulate fresh air in. That’s why if last night’s dinner got away with you, you don’t smell it the next time dinner time rolls back around.

If your air smells stagnant and odors hang around longer than they should, it’s time to call in a professional. They can find out what is causing your indoor air quality issue.

5. Everyone In The House Seems Sick

It’s not unusual for a family to share a cold or other illness. But what is unusual is if everyone is sick and no one seems to be getting any better. Or everyone seems sick at home but feels better once they leave the house.

Respiratory issues, congestion, scratchy throats, and lethargy are common signs of poor air quality that can be confused for other illnesses.

Like with allergies, watch everyone’s symptoms to see when and where they seem to be present. If everyone feels better outside the home, it’s a good sign you need your air quality tested.

And if the symptoms are ongoing, that’s also another sign it’s time to call in an HVAC professional.

6. You Find Mold

Mold is a scary four-letter word to a lot of people, and not without cause. Mold spores can travel through your home’s air currents and get into you and your family’s lungs, making you sick.

When there are high humidity and poor air circulation, moisture and dust particles make a perfect breeding ground for mold. Common areas to find mold is around bathtubs, sinks, basements, and other areas that moisture hangs around.

If you find mold or notice a musty, moist smell in the air, don’t waste time. Get your air quality checked. The faster you fix the problem, the safer your home will be.

7. You Notice Air Distribution Inconsistencies

Have you ever walked through your house and noticed a cold spot or a warm spot? It’s easy to overlook this or laugh a cold spot off as a ghost. But it could be a sign you have air distribution issues in your home.

If your HVAC system isn’t maintaining proper humidity levels and temperature, it could be causing these warm and cold spots to occur in different areas around your house.

Call out a professional to have a look. If the air isn’t distributed effectively and evenly throughout your home, it will affect your level of air quality.

Indoor Air Quality Testing Can Give You Peace of Mind

No one wants to take chances with the health of their family. Having indoor air quality testing can give you peace of mind that the air in your home is safe for you and your family to breathe.

Need help dealing with your home poor air quality? Contact us today. Our highly trained staff can help you breathe easier with the air purification and filtration system that works best for you.