NV Energy
Indoor air quality in 2020 has become an important health and safety concern. The COVID-19 outbreak and increased presence of pollutants in the indoor air can cause a lot of health problems and an increase in fatigue as well. There are certain symptoms that can arise when poor air quality affects your body that you should be aware of:
- Dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Hypersensitivity and allergies
- Coughing and sneezing
- Dizziness
We spend big portion of our life indoor, especially here in Henderson, Nevada and sometimes air pollution in your home can be just as bad, or even worse, than it is outdoors. People generally notice their symptoms after several hours at work and feel better after they have left the building or when they have been away from the building for a weekend or a vacation. But don’t panic! With a little preventative HVAC maintenance and some basic knowledge, you can take immediate steps to improve your indoor air quality and thermal comfort (temperature, humidity, and air movement).
Low air quality in your home can have a big effect on your health, and mood.
What causes poor air quality in home?
Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the area.
Indoor air quality tends to be worse in the winter months because there is often no flow of fresh air from the outside, meaning allergens stay trapped inside.
Common issues associated with indoor air quality can range from different contaminants to dangerous gas leaks such as carbon monoxide pollution. Improper or inadequately maintained heating and ventilation systems also can be a major reason for bad indoor air quality.
Indoor air contaminants
- Building, construction materials and other activities: dust, glues, fibreglass, asbestos, particle boards, paints, chemicals, etc.
- Dusts, moulds or fungi, bacteria, gases, toxic vapours, volatile organic compounds & gas emissions from furniture, carpets, and paints.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2), tobacco smoke, perfume, body odours – from building occupants.
- Microbial contaminants, fungi, moulds, bacteria – from damp areas, stagnant water and condensate pans.
Ignoring the indoor air quality issues can cause health problems, especially in sensitive groups, such as children, people who are sensitive to indoor allergens or have respiratory problems and the elderly people.
Reduce indoor allergens that can trigger respiratory problems and other issues.
Avoiding Unhealthy Air
There are ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality & Reduce Air Pollution in Your Home in Henderson. Here are things you can do right away to improve the air quality in your home:
- Keep the house clean
Focus on the following: Vacuuming the carpets; Regularly cleaning bedding, drapes, and other items that tend to attract allergens— particularly if you have pets.
- Keep the greenery outdoors
If indoor allergens are a problem, you'll want to avoid them. Though some house plants such as Bamboo Palm, English Ivy, and others can really help remove toxins from the air in your home, whilst providing additional oxygen so keep this in mind as well.
- Change your AC filter
Be sure to change your AC filters regularly. Clogged Filters not only does cause trouble for your indoor air quality, it also wears down your AC system, which can lead to costly repairs down the road. By the way - your vacuum cleaner, clothes dryer and kitchen vents should all be inspected and maintained periodically as well.
- Ventilate
Good airflow is crucial for indoor air quality. Many indoor air pollutants come from the kitchen. Gas stoves release harmful contaminants, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Use Cooking Vents, when you’re cooking, be sure to turn on your kitchen vents, or open a window to help filter out the air even more.
- Make your home a no-smoking zone
Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. Research shows that secondhand smoke increases a child's risk of developing ear and respiratory infections, asthma and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Use Beeswax candles
Beeswax candles are 100% natural and not only reduce contaminants in your home, they smell good and create a wonderful ambiance too.
- Choose your furniture carefully
Many items of furniture are made with glues that continue to release toxins into the air, long after they have left the factory floor. This slow release of toxins can dramatically contribute to poor indoor air quality.
- Control Humidity in Your Home
Humid and moist conditions breed mold and mildew that can trigger respiratory issues like allergies and asthma. Consider a dehumidifier in damp areas, such as a basement to reduce the amount of moisture in the air and prevent the growth of irritating molds.
- Let the fresh air in
Even in the cold months, open windows from time to time to allow fresh air to move into the house.
- Invest in an air purifier
AccuClean Whole-Home Air Filtration System - Nevada Residential Services offers a product that removes 99.98% of airborne particulate and allergens, down to 0.1 microns from the filtered air in your home. So you get much cleaner air and eliminate the need of purchasing and replacing filters every few months. AccuClean by American Standard, is a premium whole home Air Filtration System which filters the air 7 times per day throughout your entire home.
What our Henderson HVAC experts do to investigate possible IAQ problems?
- Check the ventilation system to make sure it is operating properly (e.g., the right mix of fresh air, proper distribution, filtration systems are working, etc.).
- Look for possible contamination causes (e.g., gas leaks, source of a chemical, renovations, mould, etc.).
- Rule out other common causes of the health issues and symptoms such as high noise levels, thermal comfort, humidity, ergonomics, lighting, etc.
- Perform air testing
Contact Nevada Residential Services today to find out more about how we can perform professional Indoor Air Quality Testing and Indoor Air Quality Improvement in Henderson, NV. Don't hesitate, If you are interested in this filter system you can contact us at any time and we will answer any questions you have.
