When Should You Have Your Air Quality Tested?
Many homeowners don’t think about how important their home’s air quality is until it begins to worsen. You may initially try switching out your HVAC filters or thoroughly cleaning your home to limit airborne particulates. Oftentimes, these positive changes alone aren’t enough to have a significant impact on your air quality. Air testing is a helpful way to pinpoint the invading contaminants, chemicals, and bacteria. Here’s what you need to know about scheduling professional indoor air quality testing.
When to Schedule Air Testing
Since your family spends so much time indoors during the winter, it’s important to ensure your breathing air isn’t full of mold, dirt, and fumes. Consider completing an air quality test when you first move into a new house. This will help you determine if there are any gas leaks, mold issues, or accumulated filth in the ducts. Air testing can also be helpful after you’ve added rooms or completed a remodel. Building materials, paint, carpets, and more all add microscopic particulates and chemicals in the air that linger for months, if not years.
Testing should also be done after you’ve experienced an emergency like a fire or flooding. House fires introduce soot and smoke into your living areas. These fumes can soak into your furniture, curtains, and carpets, leaving an unpleasant odor behind that never fades. If the large amounts of moisture in your basement aren’t addressed after a flood, you’re likely to have issues with mold, rust, and corrosion.
You may be wondering why you have to schedule an air quality testing appointment when you have the option to pick up a test from your local home improvement store. Store-bought tests aren’t as reliable or trustworthy as calling in one of our professionals. DIY tests may give you incorrect readings or not be able to determine all of the airborne contaminants present.
Warning Signs
Thankfully, poor air quality comes with a variety of warning signs. There may be more dust and dirt building up on your curtains, fan blades, and around the corners of your living spaces. You’ll find more debris in the air, which will make your HVAC filters fill up faster. Unhealthy humidity levels can warp your wooden belongings, harm your electronics and make it harder to keep your household comfortable.
On top of all the negative effects around your home, you and your family will also begin experiencing persistent cold-like symptoms. Your eyes, nose, and skin may be more frequently prone to dryness and irritation. Poor air quality will also worsen your existing health conditions like allergies and asthma.
Tips to Improve Air Quality
Start improving your home’s safety today by scheduling air quality testing. Our experienced team will let you know if there’s carbon monoxide, radon, mold, or heavy metals in your air. Once you know what’s worsening your air quality, you can work on improving it. Your technician may suggest investing in higher-quality air filters that better match your family’s health concerns.
Improving your cleaning routine will limit how much debris makes its way into the ductwork. Be sure to vacuum all your carpets and rugs at least once a week. This chore may be necessary more often if you have pets. Frequently dust and wipe down your vents, tables, blinds, and fan blades to stop dust from accumulating. Stopping the spread of contaminants like pet dander, dust, and pollen will alleviate your allergies and make it easier to breathe.
In many cases, the best way to maintain excellent air quality all year round is by installing an air purification system. Humidifiers, air scrubbers, UV lights, and air purifiers all work to target airborne issues and improve air quality. These systems are easy to install and won’t have a huge impact on your monthly utility bills.
Residential and Commercial HVAC Care
WK Mechanical, Inc. is a family-owned company that’s ready to give your HVAC issue our complete attention in Middletown, NY. When you work with our experienced team, you’ll always get fast and reliable service. Our indoor comfort services are manufacturer approved and come with upfront, hassle-free pricing. Let us maintain or repair your boiler, heat pump, furnace, or air conditioner. Our certified technicians can help with indoor air quality solutions, install a new generator or provide an in-home comfort consultation. Call WK Mechanical, Inc. in Middletown today to learn more about our 24/7 emergency repair service.
