Indoor air quality (IAQ) measures the contaminants in the air, including particulate matter, moisture and gases. While it may seem like an unnecessary worry in most Pigeon Forge, TN, homes, it’s important to pay attention to it and improve it when needed. Let’s discuss the four consequences of neglecting your home’s air quality.
Uncomfortable Humidity
Humidity plays an important role in IAQ management, affecting how many particles stay airborne. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends maintaining indoor humidity between 30% and 50%. A humidity level higher than 50% can make your home feel muggy, while less than 30% can make it dry and irritating.
Excessive HVAC System Strain and Wear
Poor air quality can create airflow restrictions in your HVAC system, such as at the circulating fan or air filter. Restricted airflow causes the system to work harder, increasing the wear it experiences. This results in more AC and furnace repairs coupled with a shortened lifespan.
Personal Health Issues
Airborne contaminants include things like allergy and asthma triggers and pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Further, your air may contain contaminants that impact your body’s immune function, making you more susceptible to illness. Some of the possible health concerns you may experience because of poor air quality include:
- Allergies and asthma.
- Upper respiratory irritation.
- Viral infections.
- Endocrine dysfunction.
- Heart disease.
- Cancer.
Increased Utility Bills
Your energy consumption may vary from month to month, but poor indoor air quality will certainly increase it. Insufficient airflow through your system will cause longer heating and cooling cycles and overstrain. Further, it’s harder to heat or cool lower-quality air because of the dynamic of heat transfer with the contaminants.
Effectively controlling your IAQ is about much more than changing a simple filter. Contact us today to learn about the indoor air quality solutions that LB Chase Mechanical offers for your IAQ troubles.
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