Why Is Indoor Air Quality Testing So Important?

Indoor air quality testing is important for many reasons. You may think you’re safe from pollutants once you step into your home. However, science has proven that pollution inside can be much more concentrated than outdoors. Air pollution isn’t just something you’ll find near factory smokestacks or car exhausts. If you haven’t already, you should call a certified HVAC contractor to test your indoor air quality.

Indoor air quality testing is important because it can:

Identify Many Common Indoor Pollutants

If you don’t know what’s polluting the air in your home, you can’t mitigate the problem. There are many types of indoor air pollutants. Using the right testing method, a professional can look for:

• Biological Pollutants: These include everything from pet dander to pollen to dust mites and bacteria. Even mold and the toxins it can produce represent a significant biological hazard in many homes.

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These chemicals from non-living substances may be undetectable, or barely so, but can pose a threat to your health. They include lead, formaldehyde, radon (a naturally occurring gas), and other compounds often found in paints, cleaning products, and furniture.

• Combustion Byproducts: Soot and other particulates can circulate in your home if your furnace has a combustion issue. Carbon monoxide is also a combustion pollutant; you can’t see or smell it, but it can be deadly. Secondhand smoke can have long-term negative health effects, as can thirdhand smoke in clothes, furniture, curtains, and other items.

Air quality tests can identify pollutants and their concentrations, so you know how big an issue you have. Regular testing also helps if your area has known air quality issues. Not all indoor pollutants are dangerous, but it’s best to keep them within acceptable levels.

Find Ways to Protect Your Health

If you often have symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, or itchy throat, when at home, indoor air quality testing can determine why. Frequent asthma attacks and respiratory infections are also signs of pollution. 

If you suspect any issues, schedule testing that can identify contaminants and how to remove them. Some compounds can have long-term effects on your health, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological problems. Taking the right steps can help avoid or reduce the risks.

Improve Your HVAC System’s Efficiency

Poor air quality can reduce the performance and efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Contaminants can get trapped in air filters, ductwork, and AC and heating components. This can strain them and cause the system to work harder. As a result, you may pay higher energy bills and risk the cost of frequent repairs or early system replacement.

Once we know what’s polluting your air, we can choose and install an air filtration system. Standard air filters aren’t enough. You may need a high-efficiency filter that traps the smallest particles so you can breathe clean air. Even a humidity control solution can improve air quality, as it can prevent stickiness and the growth of mold.

Identify Air Pollution After Renovation or Construction Activities

A renovation, even if it’s isolated to one area and you’ve blocked it off, can cause dust and VOCs to spread throughout your home. Nearby construction can also impact indoor air quality. Therefore, schedule indoor air quality testing after your renovation is completed or even if there’s a construction project in your neighborhood. Additional measures may need to be taken to reduce pollution and particulates.

You Don’t Know Everything About Your New Home

If you’re moving into a new home, it may have air quality issues from old building materials, mold, neglected ductwork, asbestos, or radon. Indoor air quality testing helps identify issues you should resolve before moving in. This will ensure your new living environment is free of any hazards that can affect your family’s health.

How Do I Improve My Home’s Indoor Air Quality?

A professional can use advanced testing methods to identify the type and amount of pollutants in your home. But to improve indoor air quality, you can:

• Replace HVAC Filters Often: Clogged filters can allow particulates to re-circulate and prevent your HVAC unit from cleaning the air.

• Keep Your Home Clean: Sweep, mop, and vacuum your home regularly to control dust. A doormat isn’t just aesthetic, it can also capture debris before it gets inside.

• Add Fans and Dehumidifiers: Reducing humidity can improve indoor air quality. Running fans can too, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, as they keep these areas dry.

• Improve Ventilation: If the outdoor air is clean, open some windows to improve air circulation. Scheduling duct cleaning and sealing and checking filters in any devices that let air into your home also helps.

• Install a Whole-Home Air Filtration System: At Kliemann Brothers, we install various types of filtration equipment depending on the results of indoor air quality testing and the needs of your household.

Call Kliemann Brothers Today

Kliemann Brothers can help improve indoor air quality in your home. If you or a loved one suffers from allergies or asthma, your home is dusty, there’s been a recent renovation project, or it’s been a while since your air quality has been assessed, we can help. Not only can we provide accurate indoor air quality testing. Our experienced team can also install and maintain a whole-house air filtration system that cleans your indoor air continuously. Call (253) 215-8212 to learn more or request an appointment.