The cold winter months are on their way, and with them comes more time inside with your loved ones. It’s also important not to forget about how the dramatic fluctuations in temperatures can increase your need for indoor air quality testing.
5 Reasons to Get Indoor Air Quality Testing This Winter
Indoor air quality is more important than you may think. Winter weather can cause problems with vents, doors, and other openings in homes as well as buildings. With illness, humidity problems, and carbon monoxide poisonings on the rise it only makes sense you take some precautions before they happen. We’re here to educate you and give you the tools you need to properly test your indoor air quality.
1. Increased Dust and Dirt
Sometimes it is a challenge to keep a tidy home, especially during the holidays. If your home has recently gathered dust on surfaces, even if you have a heat recovery ventilator introducing fresh air into the residence, it may not make much difference. If you shine a light through an empty room and see particles in flight, it’s time to take action.
The air filter is one of the most important parts of your home’s heating & air conditioning system. Not only does it help to keep you safe from dirt and dust, but if this vital component becomes blocked by an accumulation of dust and debris all sorts of problems can begin to occur.
Cleaning up dirty surfaces is important to maintain a healthy home and heating & air conditioning system. Its health-conscious and crucial that you change your air filter every 30 days. This will help maintain cleaner air throughout your home and help extend the lifespan of your furnace or heating & air conditioning unit.
2. Pollutants From Alternative Heat Sources
The use of a supplemental heating source to keep our homes warm in winter is not without its problems. Wood or coal stoves can generate a lot of heat, but they also produce indoor air pollution that could become a health hazard and even be fatal for some people who are exposed too often over time. This includes toxic fumes released into your home through burning logs in an open fireplace.
The combustion process produces carbon monoxide as a by-product. This colorless, odorless gas interferes with your body’s ability to use oxygen and can lead to headaches or dizziness with continued exposure. It is recommended that you have your alternative heating sources checked by a licensed heating & air conditioning professional before winter arrives, as well as making sure you have a working CO detector installed in every room of your home.
3. Volatile Organic Compounds and Chemicals
Indoor air can be very dangerous for humans and animals if not taken care of immediately. One main contributor to unhealthy indoor air quality is volatile organic compounds (VOC). These airborne chemicals are normally left behind from paints, cleaners, or other chemical products used in the home. If ignored, they will build up until the air quality in your home becomes hazardous.
4. Pet Dander
It isn’t unusual for homeowners bring in their pets during colder weather. In fact, it is the humane thing to do. But pets who spend more time indoors during the winter months can create problems for their owners and families. The thick, long coats that they are given when it’s cold outside could lead them to shed and cause dander to accumulate on the floors and furniture, which is often then sucked up by your heating & air conditioning unit. To mitigate this problem, brush and groom your pets regularly to cut down on indoor allergens.
5. Poor Air Circulation
When it’s cold outside, you might find yourself wanting to stay inside with a warm fire and some hot chocolate. Needless to say, you’ll likely have all of the windows and doors sealed shut when snow storms arrive, which greatly reduces air circulation in the home.
One solution is installing a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) on your furnace. These filters are designed to remove 99%+ of particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter, including most allergens. This will help to ensure that you, your family, and even your pets breathe a little easier this holiday season.
Schedule Indoor Air Quality Testing with Service Today 24/7
Serving the entire Twin Cities metro area, Service Today is trusted for heater, furnace, and boiler maintenance (and other heating & air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical services). We’re familiar with all the advantages of air quality testing, heater inspections, and heating & air conditioning tune-ups and provide a thorough examination of all components and moving parts. Receive regular maintenance as a member of our SHAPE Membership program and call (888) 409-9784 to schedule your heater tune-up appointment today!
