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There is plenty of research showing that breathing fresh, clean air boosts your health. However, life often means spending a large portion of each day indoors. Taking steps to ensure your indoor air is clean and free from contaminants can help improve your health and reduce irritation.
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Know What You Are Breathing
There are many different contaminants that can cause illness, allergies and respiratory irritation in your home. Indoor air quality testing Austin can identify what, if any, harmful ones you and your family are breathing in on a daily basis. It will screen for common problems such as dust mites, mold and pet dander. You should also have levels of VOCs and other potentially dangerous chemicals checked.
Find the Source of Your Problem
Once you are aware of what contaminants are present, you can begin to assess what is causing your indoor air quality issues. There are a lot of sources of indoor air contamination. Some common examples include:
- Hidden water leaks and excess moisture
- Insect and rodent infestation
- Chemicals used in common household products
- Appliances that use combustion (heaters, fireplaces, etc.)
Some problems may be more obvious than others. For example, visible mold and mildew will be easier to spot than growth that is under carpeting or within walls; if you have pets, you can usually safely assume their dander is going to be within your home’s air handling systems; detritus from cockroaches or mice are good indicators of an infestation that can affect your indoor air quality.
Understand How Filters and Purifiers Work
Once you have identified and removed the source of your problem, you will need to treat the air. A high-quality system can also help you avoid dangerous levels of contamination from accumulating in the future. Educate yourself on the filtration and purification options that are available. Indoor air quality testing companies Austin can help you choose which type of filtration system will be best suited to your situation.
Changing the filters in your HVAC system regularly will help reduce buildup. It can also increase the system’s efficiency. Choose HEPA filters that are designed to remove even very small particles for the best results. If your heating system does not use air exchange, you may want to look at installing a whole house filtration system. Be sure to choose one designed to accommodate the amount of space inside your home. Room air purifiers and filters can also be an effective solution, especially if one member of your family suffers from allergies.
Taking steps to identify contaminants and trace their source is important to properly treat your home’s environment. The right filtration options can offer added protection from common contaminants.
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