
Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! Becoming a homeowner is a big milestone that comes with an assortment of new responsibilities. You and your family are in safe hands with our experienced team at Great Environmental. We simplified Indoor Air Quality to 7 easy steps to help maintain healthy indoor air quality in your new home.
If you have concerns or questions about Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) please contact our experienced team for more information and to schedule a test.
Step 1: Understand the Importance of Indoor Air Quality
Before diving in the specifics, let’s take a moment to understand what indoor air quality is.
What is Indoor Air Quality?
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the condition of the air inside homes, offices, and schools. In clear terms, any enclosed indoor environment can be tested for indoor air quality.
Components of Indoor Air Quality Include:
Pollutants
Humidity
Temperature
Ventilation
Air Flow
Why is Indoor Air Quality Important?
Health: Your health is the most significant reason why indoor air quality is important as it can directly affect your mental and physical well-being. Poor indoor air quality can exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies, leading to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Additionally, continuous exposure to indoor air pollutants can lead to serious health risks like respiratory infections and lung disease.
Quality of Life: Temperature, humidity, and airflow play a significant role in determining the comfort level of indoor spaces. Humidity can create a damp and muggy environment; on the other hand poor airflow can lead to stagnant air; both ends of the spectrum lead to discomfort and can affect your well-being. Keep an eye out for these symptoms:
Headaches
Dizziness
Nausea
Fatigue
Poor indoor air quality can manifest in these forms and significantly impact daily activities, productivity, and overall quality of life. As a new home owner you should have the luxury of enjoying your home without the added stress of worrying about what’s making you and your family sick.
Effects on Children, Elderly, and Individuals with Pre-Existing Conditions: These individuals can be more at risk when encountering indoor air pollutants due to their developing, weakened, or compromised immune systems. Clean indoor air is essential to reduce the risk of respiratory illness and other health conditions associated with indoor air pollution.
Step 2: Environmental Factors
There’s a variety of environmental factors that can affect the air quality inside your home. Considering the climate conditions in the Midwest, here are some environmental factors that may play a role in the quality of your home’s air.
Climate Conditions
Industrial Pollution
Allergens
Geographical Features
Agricultural Activities
We encourage homeowners to take proactive measures to mitigate indoor air quality issues. Implementing prevention strategies such as proper ventilation, air filtration, and moisture control can help keep the air in your home fresh year-round.
Step 3: Get an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Test
If you’re worried about your home, we recommend our IAQ Home Survey, which covers:
Monitors indoor air quality for 500+ airborne chemicals and hidden mold growth with a single air sample.
One sample covers up to 2,000 sq. ft.
Predicts sources of the chemicals, whether from the home or its contents
Checks for hazardous air pollutants
Identifies chemical pollutants that could make you sick.
Formaldehyde test available (additional charge)
Testing the indoor air quality of your home will determine the safety of the air you and your family are breathing every day.
Step 4: Assess other Causes
Ventilation Systems and Air Circulation
Proper air circulation and ventilation is needed for healthy indoor air quality. Regular inspection of these common areas is vital.
HVAC Systems: Regular inspection and maintenance of your HVAC system will ensure it’s running properly and efficiently. Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to your HVAC:
Replace air filters
Clean coils
Inspect ductwork for leaks and obstructions
Exhaust Fans: In areas prone to high humidity and indoor air pollution like the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room exhaust fans help remove stagnant air, moisture, and indoor air pollution. Regularly clean and replace the filters of your exhaust fans to maintain proper air circulation.
Air Ducts: Air Ducts can serve as a pathway for indoor air pollutants to easily circulate throughout your home if not properly sealed. Here are two tips to maintain your air ducts:
Check for damage and seal any leaks or tears.
Clean air ducts to remove dust, debris, and microbial growth.
Natural Ventilation: Use your windows, doors, and vents to circulate fresh air throughout your home. Opening windows and doors allows for cross-ventilation, this can help clear out air pollutants during mild weather conditions.
Mold and Moisture
Mold thrives in damp, humid environments and can pose serious health risks if left unchecked. Be sure to inspect common areas prone to mold growth, such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and attics. Look for visible signs of mold and moisture, and address any underlying issues promptly to prevent further contamination.
Mold thrives in damp, humid environments and if left unchecked, can cause serious health risks. Inspect these common areas for mold growth:
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Basements
Attics
During your inspection, keep an eye out for discoloration, staining, or any fuzzy patches on walls, ceilings, floors, and other surfaces. Also, be on the lookout for any musty odors, this can indicate hidden mold growth behind walls or under flooring.
Asbestos Contamination
Asbestos is often found in insulation, flooring, and ceiling tiles in older homes built before the1980s. If you’ve recently moved into a home where asbestos is possibly present, regardless of the condition, we highly recommend testing your home for asbestos.
Just the simple presence of asbestos poses potential health risks, inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and serious respiratory illnesses. Learn more about asbestos here.
Step 5: Consider Indoor Air Quality-Friendly Materials and Products
When furnishing and renovating your new home, prioritize low-VOC or VOC-free materials and products.
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are chemicals that can easily vaporize into the air at room temperature; they are commonly found in household products and building materials. To learn more about VOCs and what products to avoid, check out our blog "VOCs: What are They and Where Do They Come From?" for more information.
By using low-VOC or VOC-free building materials and cleaning products, you can minimize indoor air pollutants and reduce health risks for you and your family.
Step 6: Preventative Maintenance
Becoming a new homeowner is the perfect time to start implementing a preventative maintenance practice. Preventative maintenance may seem overwhelming at first, but keeping up with scheduled maintenance will help prevent unexpected breakdowns in the future. Here are a few examples of how you can minimize the accumulation of indoor air pollutants, reduce mold growth, and more:
Change HVAC Air Filters
Clean Ducts and Vents
Control Moisture Levels
Regularly Inspect Household Appliances
Step 7: Schedule a Test with a Professional
If you have concerns about the indoor air quality of your home, please contact our team at Great Environmental for guidance in addressing your concerns and ensuring the safety of your new home.
Homeownership comes with its fair share of responsibilities that require careful consideration and proactive measures. Contact our team for more information and follow these steps to create a safe and comfortable living environment for you and your family.
If you or your family have experienced these symptoms, contact us for more information on the next steps.