As the weather gets colder, people spend more time at home. But even without the weather driving people inside, other factors often keep people indoors, like working from home, homeschooling, and home vacationing.
Because of this, it’s easy for people to start noticing the weird quirks in their houses. For example, they might notice strange smells or that it’s harder to breathe in some rooms than others; maybe they notice their allergies acting up. These are some signs you have in indoor air quality testing (IAQ) done in your home.
What can cause poor home air quality?
Many different things can cause poor home air quality. These air pollutants range from low to high-level threats. Let’s look through these:
Low-level air pollutants
# Dander
# Pet fur
# Dust
High-level air pollutants
# Smoke
# Mold
# Toxic cooking fumes
# Lead
# Asbestos
# Carbon Monoxide
# Radon
These pollutants can come from a variety of sources. While some of the low-level pollutants can have little to no effect on your breathing, they can be quite problematic for some people. But the high-level pollutants have the possibility to make you very sick.
When should I have my air tested?
Some people are more affected by certain pollutants than others. But there comes a time when you need to figure out if your home’s air quality is affecting your health and your breathing. It’s always a good idea to have an IAQ when you move into a new home. If you buy a new home, this is usually included in the inspection before you move in.
Another way to tell if you need your air tested is if you or your family are showing these symptoms:
# Congestion
# Headaches
# Worsening allergies
# Asthma
# Sinus problems
# Rashes
# Frequent colds
# Drowsiness
While external sources can cause these symptoms, if you aren’t able to find another cause for these symptoms, it might be before your home’s air quality.
Who can I contact?
Once you’ve decided you need an IAQ test done, your best bet is to contact a professional in your area. You can start by searching online for terms like “Louisville IAQ.” This is a great way to find local companies near you. Or you can purchase a kit for yourself, but this may not be as accurate as a professional test. Professionals can do testing that looks for multiple sources, but home tests may only look for one or two aspects.
