How Good is Your Indoor Air Quality?

Did you know the quality of air in your home or business can be worse than that of the outside? Many contaminants can get in through various methods. Unlike outdoor air, they can’t easily move along. We will show you more on everything you need to know on how good is your indoor air quality.

1. Types of Air Contaminants

Your home can be full of all sorts of contaminants in the air. Just a few include:

Dust, hair, dander.
Smoke from tobacco products, cooking, fires.
Germs, microbes, bacteria.
Allergens from pollen to pet hair.
Pesticides, cleansers, etc.

These contaminants can come from anything from everyday occupancy to smoking habits to regular cleaning and finally to improper cooling and heating maintenance.

2. How to Test How Good is Your Air Quality

Many air quality tests are available at your local hardware store, online mega-stores, and even specialty stores. However, these tests may not cover all contaminants or the ones for your particular area. Testing for all pollutants can be expensive and redundant. You may consult your state or local health department who have experience in addressing indoor air quality issues for residences or business. You may also contact indoor air quality experts in your area who are familiar with the problem at hand.

3. Indoor Air Quality Devices

In many cases, an indoor air quality device can be purchased and installed to address the issue. While wall units and plugins may be sufficient for cleaning a certain area or room, only a system attached to your HVAC unit can improve the indoor air quality for your whole home. You may read more on the EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners and Air Filters in the Home. It has information on all types of contaminants and more. Versions of the air quality guide are available in both English and Spanish.