The air quality in the Birmingham, Alabama area can suffer like other metropolitan areas simply because of congestion. However, what you may not realize is that indoor air quality may be of greater concern for you and your family. Indoor air quality can be negatively impacted by pets, poor ventilation, pests, cleaning and hair products, second-hand smoke, combustion from cooking or heating the home, or outdoor pollutants entering the home. The goal of indoor air products is to remove these pollutants and allergens that could be causing some serious health concerns. There are 3 important indicators you should watch for to determine if your home has an indoor air quality problem.
Unpleasant Odor
In some cases, poor air quality is simply due to mold or mildew in the home. If this is the case, you will likely notice a musty smell that won’t go away. If the poor air quality is from other sources like microbial contamination or certain fabrics or materials in the home, you may be less likely to attribute the problem to an air quality problem. But if you’ve tried everything to get rid of the smell without success, an indoor air quality test can confirm your suspicions.
Respiratory Problems
Respiratory problems are a common symptom people experience when air quality is poor. These problems are more pronounced in sensitive individuals like the elderly, children, and people with asthma. Airborne pollutants can cause coughing, excessive phlegm, wheezing, and other asthmatic symptoms. Sensitive individuals often have extreme respiratory distress in homes with poor ventilation.
Other Symptoms
In addition to respiratory problems, bad air quality can cause other symptoms that are similar to the flu. These include fatigue, headaches, runny noses, eye and throat irritation, and vomiting. Very poor air can cause more extreme symptoms like chest pain, blurry vision, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion. These symptoms could indicate carbon monoxide in the home, and you should seek help immediately. It may be easy to initially mistake all these symptoms for seasonal allergies or illness. However, you can attribute these problems to an indoor air quality problem when the symptoms seem to disappear when you leave your home but they come back upon your return. If this is the case, we can help you find the cause of the problem and recommend a solution.
Fortunately, it is possible to improve indoor air quality with air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers in addition to services that help keep your HVAC system clean. Regular filter changes, duct cleaning, and HVAC tune-ups can ensure that your system is properly circulating the air and removing allergens and pollutants.
Have questions or need help? Give us a call. We are a professional heating & air conditioning contractor serving Birmingham, AL area residents and businesses.
