Breathe Easy this Fall when you Improve your Home’s Air Quality

03 Oct Breathe Easy this Fall when you Improve your Home’s Air Quality

Kingsport, TN

As cooler fall temperatures arrive, many people spend more time indoors. Unfortunately, remaining indoors for long periods could cause breathing problems when your home has poor indoor air quality. Although many pollutants can invade your home, you can reduce their effect on your respiratory system. Today on the blog, our Kingsport licensed electricians at Thompson Electrical Service share tips to help you breathe easy this fall when by improving your home’s air quality.

What causes poor indoor air quality?

It may not seem logical, but your home’s indoor air could be more polluted than the outdoor air. Our Bristol indoor air experts explain that the air inside your home can carry pollutants from sneezing, pet dander, or dust mites and may cause adverse reactions in humans. Additionally, old combustion furnaces can pollute your home’s air with carbon monoxide, which can cause dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, confusion, nausea, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, or death. Furthermore, radon is an environmental pollutant that can cause poor indoor air quality and is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Lastly, excessive moisture or high humidity levels can increase dust mite and mold production, which can pollute the air.

How can poor air quality affect my health?

Homes with excessive pollutants or moisture can be dangerous places. The typical physical reactions to poor air quality in your home are sneezing and coughing. However, people who have poor respiratory systems or who are immunocompromised may struggle to breathe polluted indoor air. Our Johnson City indoor air experts explain that prolonged exposure to pollutants can cause advanced medical conditions that can sometimes be fatal. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure your indoor air has reduced air pollutants and allergens.

How can I reduce indoor pollutants?

Reducing indoor pollutants begins with taking small steps. Our Tri-Cities indoor air pros share below the best way to reduce indoor air pollutants.

• Carbon Monoxide – Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless chemical that can cause severe harm when breathed into the body. Therefore, install a carbon monoxide detector and replace it every five to seven years to protect your family.
• Radon – Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell, or taste. Fortunately, radon tests are inexpensive and you can research the EPA website to see if you’re at risk. If your home has high radon levels, you can install a radon reduction system to reduce the levels in your home up to 99%.
• Smoking – Smoking tobacco inside your home drastically increases air pollutants, especially since the air is recirculated. Therefore, the best way to reduce indoor pollutants is to stop smoking inside your home.
• Exhaust Fans – Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom can help you control moisture levels that may increase air pollutants. So, the next time you cook dinner or get in the shower, turn on the exhaust fan to remove excess moisture from the air.
• Hazardous Chemicals – hazardous chemicals, such as toxic cleaning and painting products, can cause indoor air pollutants. Therefore, store the products in an outdoor space to prevent pollutants from entering your home.

How can Thompson Electrical Service improve my home’s air quality?

Our Kingsport home air experts are happy to share that your home’s air quality can improve with active pollutant prevention activities and the three strategies shared below.

1. Ventilation – Ensure your home has enough natural ventilation leaking from outside. If you believe it is too much or not enough, hire an energy auditor to perform a blower door test.
2. Seal Your Home – Sealing your home as tightly as possible and using mechanical ventilation can guarantee an adequate and consistent supply of outdoor air.
3. Clean the Air – Cleaning the air can be as simple as replacing your air filter once every three months. Additionally, installing a home air purifying system can reduce most air pollutants.

Air Quality Services in Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, TN

Spending time indoors shouldn’t be a threat to your health and wellness. When your home has poor indoor air quality, it could cause health problems and prevent you from living a quality life. Therefore, our Bristol home air experts recommend getting an indoor air quality test and begin addressing controllable pollutants immediately to reduce their impact on your family’s health. Please call Thompson Electrical Service at (423) 343-5726 or contact us online to schedule an air quality consultation today.