Are you tired of excessive dust in your home, even after you’ve cleaned it? Have you noticed yourself coughing or wheezing more lately? And is there a general stuffy or stale feeling around your house?In the times we live in, it’s more important than ever to protect your indoor air quality (or IAQ, as we in the industry sometimes call it.) As AAA has discussed on our blog before, it’s all too easy to begin home improvement projects that compromise the quality of your air. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also found that indoor air is, on average, as much as 7-10 times worse for your health than the outdoor air you breathe. And with obvious risks related to airborne viruses and pathogens, it’s no wonder more homeowners have begun taking steps to protect their IAQ. But before you can find the right air purification/filtration system, you need to know the pollutants and allergens that pose the biggest risks. Keep reading to learn the top three threats to your indoor air quality, courtesy of our IAQ experts at AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric.
The 3 Main Types of Household Air Pollutants:
- Particulates: Airborne particulates, or “particles,” may include dust, pollen, pet dander, or any other pollutants that are 100 microns (one-millionth of a meter) in diameter. While it is impossible to completely eliminate particulates from your indoor air, you should try as much as possible to reduce them—especially if there is anyone in your home who suffers from allergies and/or respiratory issues. In addition to regular cleaning and dusting, an indoor air quality improvement system can help you do this, removing even the tiniest particles so that your entire household can breathe easier and feel better.
- VOCs: VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, include odors, smoke, and other fumes and vapors that can be toxic and hazardous to your health. Everything from perfumes to cleaning products to burning food can generate VOCs, making them far more common in the average home than you might think. Prolonged exposure to volatile organic compounds can have serious side effects, so installing an IAQ system to help reduce them is always a good idea.
- Biological Contaminants: Biological contaminants include any microorganisms and bioaerosols down to approximately .01 microns that that may be found in your air. The average homeowner may be exposed to biological contaminants ranging from mold spores and fungi to bacteria and viruses. While there is no guarantee that installing an air purifier will eliminate all the dangerous biological contaminants in your air supply, purchasing one of these products will at least reduce their presence in your air, helping to improve overall health and wellness. Remember, indoor air pollutants don’t just affect those with allergies and breathing problems. Biological contaminants, VOCs, and particulates can cause itchy eyes and skin irritation, headaches and nausea, and even joint pain. If you have been getting sick a lot lately or simply noticed you are not feeling your best, the right IAQ system can go a long way to cutting down the overall level of illness in your household.
Upgrade Your Air with AAA Today!
At AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric, we proudly provide a variety of indoor air quality options to suit a range of needs. We offer whole-home air purification equipment that can help keep dust and debris out of your heating and cooling system, to UV (ultraviolet) air purifiers that significantly reduce the presence of airborne pathogens and microorganisms, as well as HEPA filters capable of removing 99.97% of particulates sized 0.3 microns or larger from indoor air. Call to inquire about available specials and financing options, and take the first step to improving your IAQ today.
AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric is available by phone at (303) 313-3333, or you can contact us online.
