Every homeowner desires to keep their home safe and comfortable at all times. That is why most homes have HVAC systems installed to maintain optimum comfort levels. Whatever the season, there’s an HVAC system to fit your needs. However, operating a furnace, a heat pump, or an air conditioner may not be sufficient to give your home a thorough cleaning of your indoor air.
Four Seasons Air Specialists is your top HVAC company in Hugo MN that offers complete home comfort solutions for your home, including systems that can improve your indoor air quality.
Indoor Air Quality Defined
The Environmental Protection Agency defines indoor air quality as “the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants”. This means that the quality of air that circulates throughout your home has a direct impact on your overall health.
While it is a common belief that the air from the outside is more polluted than indoor air, but the truth is that the air inside your home can be 2 to 5 times more contaminated than outdoor air. If you have an ongoing home renovation or similar projects, your indoor air can be up to a hundred times more polluted than the air outside.
As a matter of fact, the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA) estimates that about 95-98 percent of indoor air is made up of particles smaller than 1 micron. These particles include bacteria, viruses, smoke, and dust that can harm vital organs such as the lungs.
3 Common Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
There are a number of household chemicals such as paint that can cause health problems when inhaled in high enough concentrations, especially the initial coat. This explains why it is common to experience headaches after painting.
Household paints are full of volatile organic compounds that pollute your indoor air. Even if the smell is gone by the time the paint is dry, it can still be dangerous to your health. Some of these VOCs are cancer-causing, which include methylene chloride, and benzene.
In addition to paint, there are 25 different personal care products examined by scientists that have been found to produce a variety of potentially harmful chemical byproducts. These products include shampoos, soaps, lotions, detergents, hand sanitizers, and deodorants. The basic understanding is that any household item that has strong fragrance is a contributor to different volatile organic compounds.
Nonstick Pots and Pans
As early as the 1940s, homeowners have been buying nonstick cookware, which was believed to be safe. However, one of the chemicals used in the past to create such items has been linked with cancer, particularly of the kidney, bladder, prostate, and ovary.
Another toxic chemical can be released from superheating a nonstick pot or pan, especially when it heats up over 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This can lead to symptoms known as “Teflon flu”, and has the potential to kill pet birds.
Secondhand Smoke
Even if you don’t smoke, as long as there are smokers around, the potential of risk remains. When someone smokes a cigarette, most of the smoke doesn’t go into their lungs. Rather, it goes right into the air, where anyone nearby can breathe it in.
Cigarette smoke, which contains over 4,000 chemicals (most of which are carcinogens), is one of the main indoor air pollutants in the U.S. Exposure to secondhand smoke raises the risk of developing cancer by as much as 30 percent. Smoke causes the blood to become stickier, raises LDL or “bad” cholesterol, and damages the lining of the blood vessels. These changes increase the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke.
Improving Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality
Being aware of your home’s indoor air quality is a great way to establish a healthy living environment. Four Seasons Air Specialists can help you design a home comfort system geared toward improving your indoor air quality. We offer total home air purification systems including air purifiers, humidifiers/dehumidifiers, UV germicidal lights, and HEPA filters. These products are effective in eliminating household pollutants. For over 40 years, we have been helping homeowners enhance the quality of their indoor air. We are your reliable Forest Lake heating and air conditioning company.
