Air quality can be significantly reduced when pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, smoke, and other fine particulate matter, are in the air. As property owners improve insulation and sealing in their buildings, the problem can increase. This is because the air inside is stagnant, and the concentration of pollutants increases with everyday activities. This contributes to indoor air quality being two to five times lower than air outside. Since the average person spends about 90% of their lifetime indoors, their health can quickly deteriorate when the air has contaminants. That’s why it is vital to conduct indoor air testing. Here are some tips on how to test indoor air quality and when to call a professional.
Identify Potential Pollutants
Identifying the potential pollutants in your home is the first step in testing indoor air quality. There may be dust and dust mites, mold, and pet dander. HVAC systems and kitchen appliances that use gas can release harmful emissions that affect your health. These include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and smoke. The gases can leak inside the house when the furnace has a cracked heat exchanger or if the chimneys and flues are not correctly installed. The contaminants can be deposited back into the house if the kitchen has no dedicated outdoor air supply.
Some home improvement and construction products can release volatile organic compounds. For instance, if your home has pressed wooden products made with adhesive, urea-formaldehyde may be present, which can volatilize and pollute the air. Cleaning products and aerosols can also produce these compounds. If you suspect your air has pollutants such as these, have a professional IAQ test done by Kalins Indoor Comfort to get to the root of the problem.
Evaluate Health Symptoms
You can track health symptoms for several weeks and notice if they worsen in particular rooms or specific periods. For instance, you may notice you only sneeze when you enter the bathroom or get headaches when you are in the office. Such clues should alert you of poor air quality in the areas. High levels of carbon monoxide often cause nausea and dizziness, while allergic reactions to airborne particles can cause runny nose and teary eyes. If these symptoms don’t subside, it may be time to schedule an indoor air quality assessment.
Use Air Quality Monitors
Air quality monitors measure the concentration of various pollutants in the air. They can detect levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), VOCs, carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, and humidity.
Even when you have an air purifier, it is better to invest in an independent air monitor. This is because the sensors in the purifier lack the precision to determine air quality as they only test the air around the cleaner. Place the air monitor separately from the purifier to help pinpoint the exact source of pollution.
When choosing an air quality monitor, consider factors including its accuracy, ease of use, and the specific pollutants it can detect. Place the monitors in different areas of your home, such as bedrooms, living spaces, and kitchens, to get a comprehensive view of the air quality. If your monitor detects high levels of contaminants, the professionals from Kalins Indoor Comfort can help you get the cleaner air you deserve.
Radon Testing
Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas naturally released by rocks and dirt on the ground. It can enter homes through cracks in the foundation or other openings. While there is always some radon in the air, its concentration can build inside the house with poor ventilation. When you breathe in radon, it settles in your lungs. Long-term exposure to it can increase the risk of lung cancer.
Kits can be found in online shops or hardware stores. These involve placing a collection device in the lowest livable level of your home for a specified period (usually a few days). After the period, you send the device to a lab for analysis. It is, however, wise to contact a professional radon tester as they have expertise and use special tools for accurate measurements. If the results show high radon levels, you need to take steps to mitigate the problem. You can contact mitigation officers to seal cracks where the gas leaks. The officer can also install radon reduction systems or special pipes to suck the radon from under the house and direct it outside.
Check for Carbon Monoxide
Fuel-burning appliances like stoves, furnaces, and water heaters produce carbon monoxide (CO). Its high levels can cause serious health problems and even death. To protect your family from CO poisoning, hire a qualified electrician to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and ensure they operate efficiently.
Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on a wall about 5 feet from the floor. The professional knows the right proximity of the device to open flames and the garage. For instance, when placed too close to the kitchen, it may go off when cooking because of the smoke, steam, and heat. There should be at least one monitor on every level of the house to alert you if there are unsafe levels of CO in the air. The electrician can also set up an interconnected system between the carbon monoxide and smoke detector for better air quality monitoring.
Inspect for Mold
Mold can grow in areas of your home with high moisture concentration, including bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and around windows. Mold releases spores that trigger respiratory problems and allergies. To prevent these issues, inspecting your home for signs of mold growth is vital. These include visible mold colonies, musty odors, or water stains on walls or ceilings.
If you suspect mold, hire a professional mold inspector to conduct a thorough assessment. They can check the concentration of mold spores in the air and surfaces. Unlike DIY mold inspections, professionals will check all areas of the house that you may have overlooked. During this process, they can also identify areas with water leakage. After determining the type of mold in your home, the professional will use the right solutions to remove the microorganisms. They will also sanitize the surfaces and moisture-map the entire house so that the mold does not regrow. Besides improving air quality, eradication of mold growth prevents damage to the property.
Take Action
Once you have gathered information about your home’s air quality through testing and monitoring, take appropriate actions to address any issues. Proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining high indoor air quality. Ventilation systems help remove pollutants and bring fresh outdoor air into your home. Make sure your home has exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. The HVAC filters can also help clean the air, so ensure they are clean by washing them regularly after two weeks or as the manufacturer recommends. If the unit has replaceable filters, replace them every three months or more frequently during periods of maximum use. Alternatively, upgrade with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to capture smaller particles and pollutants.
You want to ensure that your home has the healthiest air possible. Our professionals at Kalins Indoor Comfort can help. We offer IAQ testing and will recommend the best solutions to improve your air. These might include air filters, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, or other IAQ products. Our qualified technicians provide reliable heating, cooling, and indoor air quality services in Sioux City, Vermillion, and Yankton. Contact Kalins Indoor Comfort today to schedule an appointment.
