Is your home making you sick? You may not see what’s in the air you’re breathing, but indoor air pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor pollutants. Over time, these chemicals, toxins, germs, and other offenders can be linked to multiple health conditions and diseases, from an occasional sore throat to lung disease and certain cancers. That’s why Ernst Heating & Cooling of Hamel, IL, includes air quality solutions in its extensive list of services for its Metro East customers.
What causes poor air quality
You may assume air quality is a concern for other people. After all, you don’t smoke indoors, and you clean and dust your home regularly. But everyday substances can contaminate your indoor air and build up to unhealthy levels over time:
- Dust and allergens from pet dander, pollen, or even that nice bouquet of Valentine’s flowers can irritate your respiratory system and leave you feeling a bit stuffy or wheezy.
- Chemicals found in pesticides and certain household cleaners may be damaging over time.
- Formaldehyde can be found in everyday products like pressed wood furniture, flooring, carpeting, and furniture.
- Biological agents like mold, bacteria, and viruses can linger in indoor air.
- Carbon monoxide may be found in fumes from your stove or fireplace.
What health concerns are related to indoor air quality?
Sometimes, poor indoor air quality can immediately affect our overall well-being. Allergens can leave you with a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. The common cold virus will have you huddled on the sofa with a box of tissues to your left and a bag of cough drops to your right. You may notice occasional bouts of dizziness, headaches, or fatigue. Poor air quality has a detrimental effect on lung development in children. Over time, exposure to toxins like certain chemicals or pollutants can lead to cancer, heart disease, or lung disease.
Over the long term, poor indoor air quality can lead to more serious health concerns. Too much carbon monoxide in your indoor air can be deadly. Dust mites, mold, dander, or tobacco smoke can trigger asthma attacks. Children, the elderly, and people with various health conditions can be at a higher risk for these concerns.
Indoor air quality solutions
Your home’s HVAC system is already equipped with an air filter designed to grab some bigger air quality offenders before they can come inside and bother you. Change your air filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure it works efficiently.
If you want to take things a step further, talk to Ernst Heating & Cooling about our various indoor air quality solutions. These include air filtration systems that are attached to your HVAC system and can filter out the smaller air particles that your regular air filter may miss. If you’re concerned about germs, germicidal lights can be installed in your home’s duct system to kill mold spores, bacteria, and other microorganic compounds. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can keep your home at a comfortable moisture level throughout the Midwest’s changing seasons.
What you can’t see in the indoor air can still hurt you. If you want to find out more about our air quality solutions, contact Ernst Heating & Cooling at 618.217.1836 now or fill out our online form. We can help identify your home’s biggest air quality concerns and develop a solution that lets you breathe easier in 2024.