Most people assume the air in their home is healthy to breathe. Sadly, this usually isn’t the case. Indoor air quality is often two to five times worse than the air outdoors. These are the main pollutants in homes.
Dust and Allergens
Dust, mold, dust mites and allergens are in the air we breathe indoors. High amounts of these can result in shortness of breath and trouble sleeping. Low amounts can cause sneezing, headaches and itchy eyes.
You can’t eliminate these, but you can mitigate them. One way is to use a HEPA vacuum cleaner on your carpets twice a week. There are also air purifiers that remove these from the air.
Carbon Dioxide
A tiny amount of carbon dioxide is naturally in the air. In large doses, it cuts off your oxygen supply and can kill you. Even low doses can cause health issues, such as fatigue and headaches.
You should make sure your home is well-ventilated to remove carbon dioxide. Also make sure gas appliances are well-maintained. Your HVAC system should be inspected once a year by a professional.
Daniel's Heating & Refrigeration Corp. is based in Midlothian. We offer HVAC annual tune-ups to customers that, among other benefits, make sure your furnace is safe to use.
Chemicals
There’s a class of pollutants called volatile organic compounds or VOCS. Everybody’s home has some level of these. The most common VOCs are formaldehyde, acetone and benzene. They get into your air from cleaning products, solvents, paints, wood preservatives and furniture.
You should store wood preservatives, paint and solvents outside your home. When you use them, make sure you’re in a well-ventilated space. Look at the technical specifications of furniture before you buy it.
Heat and Cooling Experts
At Daniel's Heating & Refrigeration Corp., we can handle all of your heating and cooling needs. We also offer indoor air quality services, hot water heater repair and sheet metal fabrication. All of our technicians are NATE-certified. Please call us today in Midlothian, VA, to schedule an appointment!
