We talk about air quality all the time — it’s inside, it’s outside, it’s everywhere. But do you know what poor air quality actually is? If you know what to look for in your home, you’ll have a better chance of recognizing your need for indoor air quality solutions.
Service Wizard is aware of the common Austin allergies and the way that indoor allergies present in your family members. The best air purifier can only help you if you know there’s a problem in the first place. Read through these symptoms of poor indoor air quality and be on the lookout in your home.
Biological Signs
The air inside your home can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside! That means every breath you take could have harmful contaminants that can affect your health. The next time one of the members of your household starts showing these symptoms, ask yourself if it could be an IAQ problem.
- Irritated nose, throat, eyes
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Trouble breathing
- Congestion
- Dizziness
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Nausea
Exposure to particles like dust might not be severe most of the time, but particles like mold can be extremely dangerous after long-term exposure. Don’t discount these symptoms as normal, especially if they repeat multiple times.
Declining AC Health
Since your air conditioner is so integral to the HVAC system, it makes sense that poor air quality would manifest in the deterioration of the system itself. With so much air running through the vents, filters and AC, you’ll likely notice symptoms of contaminated air in a different component of the system.
Air Filters
Poor indoor air quality usually indicates that the filtration in place in your AC is inadequate or overwhelmed. Your air filter usually needs to be changed every few months, but your air quality will decline once the filter is too full to filter. If you notice that your air filter is filling up quicker than normal or is collecting more contaminants than usual, your air quality might be suffering.
Air Ducts/Vents
Your air ducts channel a large amount of air every day, which means that they can start to collect particles that are in your air. If your vents start to show streaks of dust around the grates, take a look inside your air ducts. Accumulated pollutants on the inside of your ducts indicate that there is a higher concentration of dust, dirt and allergens in your air than normal.
AC Unit
When your air filter is full or your air ducts are coated in contaminants, it begins to affect your AC’s performance. You might notice your AC struggle to maintain temperatures, become less efficient or even develop a malfunction. A professional HVAC contractor will be able to identify if your IAQ is the cause of your air conditioner repairs.
Get An IAQ Test!
If you want to know the status of your air and the contaminants hanging around your home, invest in an air quality test. Our team at Service Wizard will be able to target the exact particles invading your home and recommend the solution that is best for you. Give us a call today to feel confident in your home’s health!
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