It’s late spring here in South Central Pennsylvania, and we know what many of you are thinking: allergy season! The changing weather means more comfortable temperatures and sunshine, but it can also bring about unpleasant health issues for some homeowners.
If you’ve already started suffering from what you assumed were seasonal allergies to grass or pollen, you might be surprised to learn that actually, your allergies might have more to do with the air in your home than the weather outdoors. Here’s what you need to know about poor IAQ (indoor air quality), the effect it can have on your health, and what you can do to stop it.
Why IAQ Symptoms Can Be Mistaken for Spring Allergies
If you started experiencing any of the following:
Coughing or respiratory issues
Headaches
Dry eyes, noses, or throat
Sneezing
Poor sleep
... wouldn’t you assume that seasonal allergies were likely to blame?
Poor indoor air quality and home allergens can cause many of the same health issues that seasonal allergies do, so it’s understandable why many homeowners might not even consider that things in their home are causing them to feel sick.
How to Improve Your IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)
Unhealthy air in your home and IAQ allergies can be caused by a number of issues, including moisture and humidity inside your home, water in your basement or crawlspace, insufficient insulation, air leaks, mold, lack of ventilation, household toxins and chemicals, and even a malfunctioning HVAC system.
Luckily, there are steps you can take to make your indoor air cleaner and healthier. Venting excess moisture via your bathroom fans and range hoods, as well as controlling indoor humidity levels, can help avoid stuffy indoor air and mold growth. Cleaning often to remove dust mites and pet dander and cutting back on indoor chemical use can help prevent VOCs and other pollutants from building up in your home. Regularly maintaining your HVAC system will help prevent carbon monoxide leaks.
But some of the best ways to create a healthier indoor environment for your family involve upgrading your insulation and air sealing. By better protecting your home against outside air infiltration, you’ll reduce humidity and mold growth, and you’ll also help keep any outdoor air pollutants from getting in.
Schedule IAQ Testing for Your Home with Energy Smart
Indoor air quality testing from Energy Smart Home Improvement helps you get to the bottom of the air quality concerns you may have about your home. After conducting a visual inspection of your home, we’ll set up a specialized air testing monitor to help determine whether indoor air pollutants are present in your home. You’ll receive a full report as well as our recommended solutions for addressing your indoor air quality problems and reducing indoor allergens and health problems for your family.