Outdoor air pollution is a hot topic at the dinner table and online. But how many times has someone talked to you about the air in your kitchen or bathroom?Â
Indoor air quality is not something many of us actually think about. And yet, we spend countless hours indoors. While you want clean and fresh air in your home, how do you know if you have it? Well, you need to start somewhere.Â
A simple air test—from a professional or done on your own—can have a huge impact on your health and well-being. In the guide, we’re going to dive in and talk about the importance of indoor air quality, why you should test it, and how.
What Do Indoor Air Quality Tests Look For?
Indoor air quality tests check your home for pollutants, allergens, and other dangers. If you have poor air quality, you’re opening up the possibility for contaminants to affect your health. Special equipment can identify issues like:
- Mold and Mildew: Microscopic spores living in humid, warm air. They usually love basements and bathrooms and can cause respiratory issues.
- Carbon Monoxide: This odorless and colorless gas can be extremely lethal without you ever noticing.
- Radon: This is a radioactive gas that has been linked to lung cancer, meaning you really don’t want it in your home.Â
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): VOCs are found in building materials like paint, and many indoor spaces test positive for them.Â
- Allergens: Are you sneezing and having a runny nose at home? Maybe your home’s the culprit? A test will look for dust, pollen, and pet dander in the air. Â
Why Should You Test Your Indoor Air?
Are these tests something you really need to do? You’d be surprised what testing your indoor air quality can do to your home.
Identifies Hidden Issues
Most air quality issues aren’t noticeable. For example, hundreds of people die yearly from carbon monoxide poisoning. Why? Because this gas is completely odorless and colorless. You can’t detect it unless you have the right equipment.Â
Improves Energy Efficiency
Poor air quality is usually caused by ventilation issues. Finding the root of the problem can help you correct it and create a more energy-efficient home (saving you money off your utility bill).
Prevents Long-Term Health Risks
As scary as this sounds, none of us really know what’s in our air. Testing your house (and then removing the issues) can help treat certain symptoms you may have already and prevent future health issues.Â
Boost Your Property Value
One day, you may want to rent out or sell your home. If you do, certain places require air quality testing beforehand. Even if that’s not the case, testing the air quality is a nice cherry on the cake and can increase your property’s value and buyer confidence.
How Do You Test Your Indoor Air Quality?
So you want to test air quality? Here’s how you can do it:Â
- At-Home Kits: A kit detects basic things like mold or radon. While they are definitely more convenient, you don’t get the full picture.
- Hiring a Pro: A professional indoor air quality test service will give you a full, detailed report of anything potentially going on in your home.Â
Conclusion
Everyone wants a home that’s safe for their families. Maybe it’s time to start thinking about an indoor air quality test.Â
Once you have the info you need, you can start making small adjustments to your home and improve the air quality immediately. Take control of your indoor air and contact us to have your air tested.