As the New Year gears up, everyone is setting their fitness and dietary goals, but no one is talking about the easiest way we can enrich our health. You can’t talk about health and wellness without acknowledging the most basic element of our well-being: the air we breathe. The air quality of the spaces we occupy—our homes, our offices, even our gyms—all affect the overall health we experience on a day-to-day basis. It’s often such a miniscule part of our day that we don’t even think to routinely regulate our air quality. But the truth is, the air inside of our homes can be just as polluted as the air outside. Most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, especially in these frigid winter months, so it’s important to start the year by prioritizing the quality of your air.
Why Indoor Air Quality is Important:
Poor indoor air quality is on the rise with the increased use of chemicals and fragrances in home products, poor ventilation, and moisture from hot and humid temperatures. When we have these problems in our homes, we often don’t think or know about the long and short term effects of breathing in pollutants.
Poor air quality can lead to both cognitive and bodily health issues, such as respiratory diseases, cancer, and, some studies have found, dementia. If you have infants in your home, protecting your air quality is even more important, as exposure to harsh pollutants can even impact your child’s neurocognitive development.
Aside from the long term effects, poor air quality can also lead to those annoying seasonal allergies, sinus infections, and dry skin.
Our air quality can impact so much of our lives, so it’s imperative that we prioritize making our indoor space the strongest pillar of our health.
What Pollutants Are in Your Home:
When thinking about the air quality in your home, it’s important to be able to identify what type of pollutants might be infiltrating your air vents.
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- Carbon Monoxide: this is an odorless, toxic gas that builds up in the air when fuel is burned. If you have a gas stove or a gas heating system, your home might be susceptible to this pollutant if you have a poor ventilation system.
- Mold: this is a fungus that can build up in your air vents if there is an excess of moisture. Its presence in your air system can cause severe allergies and respiratory issues.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): chemicals used in home products, such as cleaning or disinfectant sprays. Without proper ventilation, these compounds can have adverse effects, anywhere from headaches and dizziness to severe neural system damage.
When these pollutants mix with the air, they can cause some unwelcome side effects. But the good news is, you can take preventative measures to ensure your home is at the top of its health game.
How to Purify Your Indoor Air Quality:
Protecting your indoor air quality should be at the top of your list of healthy habits this New Year. Improving your health doesn’t just start in the gym—it starts with your air vents. But just like any health goal, it’s easier if you have someone there to help you. With expert HVAC technicians like Kasper Mechanical, we’re committed to doing the heavy lifting for you.
When you call Kasper Mechanical, we provide a number of services to get your air vents in shape. Here are just a few healthy air quality habits we recommend adding to your routine:
- Scheduling biannual duct cleaning through our Customer Care Club
- Replacing your air filter every 30-90 days
- Installing a humidifier or dehumidifier
- Installing air purification systems in your existing air ducts
These are just a few of the recommendations we have for enhancing your home’s air quality. Each home or office is unique though, so it’s best to have an expert opinion on what will work best for your indoor space. When you plan your health routine this year, don’t forget to call Kasper Mechanical at 540-300-7917.