Things That Affect The Air Quality of Your Home

12/12/2022

When thinking of how to improve your home, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s repainting an old bedroom or remodeling your kitchen. What about your home’s air quality?

According to the American Time Survey, Americans spent about 62 percent of their waking time at home in 2020 compared to 50 percent in 2019. As we continue to spend a majority of our time at home, it’s important to be aware of your air quality as it can have a significant impact on your health.

The Air Quality Index runs from 0 to 500 and is split into six categories. The higher the Air Quality Index, the greater the level of air pollution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality can be two to five times worse than outdoor air quality. However, by being aware of various factors that affect your home’s air quality, you can start taking steps to improve it.

Here are some factors that affect your home’s air quality:

Temperature

When walking into your home, you can immediately tell if it’s too warm or too cold. It not only impacts your comfort level but your health as well. Room temperature is defined as being around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit by the American Heritage Dictionary.

High indoor temperatures can lead to increased humidity levels which can cause a variety of health problems such as dehydration and difficulty sleeping. It can also aggravate any allergies you may have as it causes bacteria to grow in moist areas.

Ventilation

Proper home ventilation is key to getting cleaner air in your home. A variety of outdoor invisible particles can enter your house every day such as pollen, smoke, and smog. Without proper ventilation, these particles can build in your home and lead to a high level of airborne contaminants.

There are a variety of ways to improve your home’s ventilation such as by replacing your air filter. It’s recommended that you change it every 90 days to help properly remove moisture and pollutants from the air. Another way is by opening your windows but this is not always true as it can make indoor air worse during allergy season. It’s also not recommended during months of extreme heat and extreme cold.

Chemicals

A variety of household products can have high levels of chemicals such as cleaning supplies. Fumes from bleach can be strong and stay in the air for long periods of time. It not only irritates skin and eyes but can also cause damage to your nervous system.

Other products like air fresheners and scented candles help your home smell better but can also release toxins into the air that can enter your sinuses and linger in the air.

Pets

In 2021, the American Pet Products Association found that 70 percent of U.S. households own pets, equating to 90.5 million homes. 69 million of those households own dogs while 45.3 million of them own cats.

Animals impact your home’s air quality by shedding fur and skin (pet dander), which can collect in your home and pollute your home’s air. It’s also important to consider how your pet is impacted by your home’s air quality as it can cause them to have respiratory illnesses and intensify any existing conditions.

Service Legends Can Help You Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

At Service Legends, providing our customers with true expertise is one of our top priorities. That means excellent customer care along with a proper diagnosis. When you call us, we will make sure your home has the cleanest, healthiest, most convenient, energy-efficient, and most comfortable indoor environment possible.

515-657-6634 Request Appointment Online

Blogs