The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

Clean, high-quality air is an important part of your home. The air you breathe on a daily basis directly affects your health and impacts the integrity of your home. If your home’s indoor air quality is poor, it can cause illness, discomfort, or even result in damage to your house, belongings, or appliances.

At Service Wizard Heating and Air Conditioning, we understand the importance of indoor air quality and are here to help you. Read on to learn more about IAQ and what steps you can take for the health, safety and comfort of your home.

What is Air Quality?

Air quality is a measure of how the particulates and compounds in the air impact the health and comfort of individuals. Air quality can be a measurement of either outdoor or indoor air. Indoor air quality directly affects your health, since your home is where you likely spend the majority of your time. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency suggests that, on average, Americans spend upwards of 90% of their time indoors. 

Common Sources of Poor IAQ

In a bustling city like Austin, indoor air quality affects every resident on a daily basis. Whether you work from home or at the office, the air you breathe is circulated throughout an indoor space. Illness can manifest from any number of sources.

• Outdoor allergens – Pollen, mold and mildew spores can travel into your space through open doors or windows and get recirculated via the heating and cooling system.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – Chemicals and other pollutants are released into the air through the use of air fresheners, copy machines and surface cleaners.
• Toxic gases – Gas furnaces undergo a combustion process to produce heat. This process creates toxic gases, with carbon monoxide being the most notorious.
• Indoor allergens – Pets, pet dander and pest debris can accumulate in your indoor space and cause illness. An average heating and cooling system is not equipped to filter the air in your home of all particulates. 

Why Does Your Indoor Air Quality Matter?

Your indoor air quality directly impacts your health and in certain cases can cause seasonal, chronic or fatal illnesses. In addition to health risks, IAQ also affects your physical house and belongings. 

• Pollen, mold, pet dander and pest detritus can cycle through the air in your home and trigger allergy symptoms. 
• Extended exposure to certain toxins and volatile organic compounds have been proven to cause cancer in some individuals. 
• Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for over 400 American deaths each year. 
• Low humidity causes coughs and dry skin, but also makes wooden furniture and instruments warp and become damaged. Alternately, high humidity causes mold and mildew. Excess moisture can make your furniture swell and walls can become damaged and in need of repair. 
• Your heating and air conditioning unit cannot run at peak efficiency if your home has poor air quality. Additional dust and debris not only forces the unit to work harder (resulting in higher energy costs) but can also cause damage to its fan or motor. Avoid potentially costly repairs and schedule regular maintenance service for your HVAC system!

Improve Your IAQ

Now that you understand the importance of indoor air quality, you can take the next step. Avoid illness, discomfort and unnecessary home repairs by eliminating common sources of indoor allergens and pollutants. If you’ve ruled out the common sources and are still experiencing symptoms, it may be time to have your IAQ tested. Contact us at Service Wizard today to schedule your appointment for indoor air quality services!