Indoor pollution is a bigger problem than you might realize because we often don’t think about it. While you may vacuum or dust on a regular basis, you could be missing a few things that are affecting the air quality in your home.

When you walk into your home, and it smells stuffy or perhaps a bit funky even after you have tidy up the place, you have an issue to solve.

How Poor Indoor Air Quality Could Be Hurting Your Home

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) will affect the occupants’ health, and it can be especially dangerous to children and the elderly. It can also deteriorate the value of your home because poor IAQ causes increased repair costs to your ventilation system.

Here are some indicators of poor IAQ:

1. Increases Respiratory Problems.

Excessive sneezing, persistent coughing, fatigue, and irritated eyes and nose are usually the signs of a severe allergic reaction. If this issue is exacerbated while at home it is a good sign that you may be dealing with indoor pollutants.

These pollutants over time can aggravate the lungs leading to more serious health issues. It can limit your ability to make the necessary repairs for your home.

2. Increases Energy Consumption

Dirty air filters should be changed regularly because the build up of dirt can reduce the efficiency of your system. Poor IAQ increases your energy consumption as well as your monthly bills because the ventilation system has to compensate for issues like leaky ducts.

Leaky ducts will let all kinds of bad air into your home. One of the most notable is excess moisture, which leads to mold and mold spores that can compromise the healthiest lungs.

3. Promotes Dirt and Debris

You can track it with your shoes or your DIY home weatherization methods do not allow for fresh air into the home, either case there is more dirt and debris in the home. With over 18 million adults suffering from asthma this can be deadly for them.

Excessive dirt and debris is a clear indication of poor air quality and also makes the home look unkempt despite your efforts. This is because the dust may be off of the surface for now, but with no place to go it will find itself in your lungs on back on the television surface.

4. Because it Raises Radon Concerns

Radon no longer flies beneath the radar because it is considered a type of radiation linked to lung cancer. Unfortunately, it’s ubiquitous in the environment because it is formed from the breakdown of soil, rocks, and water and the odorless, tasteless gas produced seeps into the air.

Testing the air is the only way to assess the levels in the home. Radon concerns can hinder the sale of the home. Though when appropriate action is taken, then a radon free environment can be a selling point for potential owners.

5. Because of Volatile Organic Compounds

Cleaning your home could make you sick. Your favorite cleaner, chemical air fresheners, disinfectants emit vapors that are toxic in your environment. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are consistently higher within the home than outdoors.

Sources of these toxic chemicals include paints, dry-cleaned clothes, pesticides, and wood cleaning products.  VOCs can damage major organs like the liver and cause malfunctions to the central nervous system.

6. Because of Smoke Related Problems

Second-hand smoke’s reputation is connected with a variety of health issues. It also increases the effects of pollutants like radon. The smell is notoriously difficult to remove from upholstery, carpets, and curtains.   

The common cigarette is known to contain a plethora of carcinogens, such as benzene. Make your home a smoke free environment so that you can protect yourself and your assets.

7. Can Burn Out Your HVAC System

Airborne particulates, mold, and dust can accumulate and recycle back into your home. These contaminants clog the system causing it to work harder to clean the air. It will not only fail at its job but will wear the system down faster.

Most of us live our lives on the indoors, so the quality of the air is very important to our health. Many companies now offer services that test the air quality or maintain and clean your HVAC system. Cracking open the windows a few hours a day is also an excellent way to clean up the stale air in the home. With a little attention, anyone can prevent poor air quality.