Blog / Common Indoor Air Quality Problems
There are several factors that contribute to poor indoor air quality. Below is a list of common sources that contribute to poor air quality. You may not have all of these occurring in your home, but by addressing the ones you do can increase your air quality and overall home comfort.
- Airborne particles. These can come from anywhere and often result in allergic reactions. A good filtering system can relieve this problem, such as a highly rated filter, air cleaners or air purifiers added to your current heating and cooling system.
- Irregular maintenance. This can lead to poor air circulation, reduced efficiency and wasted energy of your heating and cooling system. A regular HVAC tune-up of your furnace and air conditioner can keep tabs on the air quality inside your home.
- Excessive dryness. If you have floorboards that creak, your house is too dry. Excessive dryness can cause floorboards to warp and furniture to crack. If you don’t have a built-in humidifier system, you can add moisture with a room humidifier. Once you get your moisture level stabilized, your home will feel more comfortable and your energy bills may even go down as a result.
- Excessive moisture. This is just as big a problem as excessive dryness. It promotes the growth of microbes and mildew. The first symptom is usually moisture collecting on your windows and dampness on your walls. A properly sized air conditioning system not only cools indoor air, but also helps reduce humidity. A dehumidifier will do the job best.
- Uneven circulation. This is often caused by poorly sized duct system. Check your ducts to make sure they’re tightly sealed and free of debris so they can achieve maximum efficiency and air quality. Have them inspected by a professional once every 3 years to ensure they are clean and operating efficiently.
- Sealing air leaks. This will virtually eliminate drafts and prevent pollutants from entering your home through the leaks. It will also help minimize energy consumption.
- Carbon monoxide. This is one of the hardest things to detect.
- A fireplace adds greatly to the atmosphere of a home, but it is a potential source of indoor pollutants, particularly if the damper is not closed properly.
- Improper venting can result in condensation. It can also be the cause of ‘stuffy’ air and can even contribute to structural damage to your house. Mechanical ventilation systems remove poor indoor air and replace it with fresh, conditioned outdoor air.
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