The term “indoor air quality”, or IAQ for short, is used to describe the air quality within buildings and structures. Since poor IAQ can negatively impact people’s health and comfort, removing pollutants is vital in order to protect the occupants.
But what are these pollutants, and how do you get rid of them? How do you measure the IAQ in your property? Can a quality air conditioner improve your indoor air quality and where can you find an AC installation service in Cherry Hill, NJ, that can provide you with such equipment?
Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions.
What are the 4 major indoor air pollutants?
When people think of air pollution, they usually imagine giant factories or hundreds of cars in gridlock traffic. If only things were so simple! According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the concentration of indoor air pollutants can be as many as 2-5 times higher than the concentration of the same pollutants outside.
Always be on the lookout for these 4 major air pollutants:
Dampness and mold
Breathing in mold spores and fragments can cause problems such as wheezing, nasal congestion, inflamed airways, throat irritation, and coughing. Prolonged exposure can damage your lungs and cause chronic respiratory conditions like asthma.
Second-hand smoke
Tobacco smoke comes in both a particulate and gaseous phase. Second-hand smoke can increase carbon monoxide levels in the air, while the particulates it produces can get into the bronchioles in the lungs and cause various lung-related issues.
Volatile organic compounds
VOCs are airborne pollutants that can cause headaches, fatigue, allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and a number of other health problems. Some of the products that contain these compounds include aerosols, candles, cleaning and automotive products, and so on.
Radon and carbon monoxide
Both of these gases are odorless and colorless, making them impossible to detect without specialized equipment. Both can cause severe health problems, including death.
How is IAQ measured?
The best way to measure indoor air quality is by installing sensors that are designed to detect the presence of certain pollutants. Different types of sensors measure different things. According to the EPA, in order to get accurate readings you should have one sensor for every 10,000 square feet of property.
Sensors can detect the following pollutants:
Humidity
Formaldehyde
Carbon monoxide
Radon
Particulate matter
Volatile organic compounds
How can I improve my IAQ?
If you suspect your property may contain lead-based paints, asbestos, or elevated carbon monoxide or radon levels, you should have it tested by a licensed professional immediately.
Furthermore, if you’re experiencing allergic reactions while at home, but these problems disappear when you’re outside, you may have an irritant such as pet dander or plants in your living space.
Here’s how you can improve your IAQ:
Air out your home frequently and thoroughly
Wash or replace the filters in your HVAC system on a regular basis
Regularly clean and disinfect your property
Keep your indoor air free of germs and mold spores
Where can I schedule a first-rate AC installation in Cherry Hill, NJ?
Are you looking to improve the indoor air quality in your home by equipping your AC with ultraviolet filters? Or perhaps a pipe has burst in your place in the middle of the night and you’re looking for someone who can fix it right away?
Here at Allied Experts, we can help you with all of that and more. We specialize in providing the good people of Cherry Hill with the very finest cooling, heating, plumbing, and weatherization services in New Jersey.
Our technicians will happily attend to your needs while you enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the Covered Bridge Swim Club with your family. Give us a call at any time.
