Homes can have many sources of air quality issues:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Chemicals
- Poor airflow
Numerous activities can encourage poor air quality, too. Even something as mundane as cooking can release chemicals through burners and also some nonstick materials on pans. Many cleaning products, including air fresheners, reduce air quality. The materials in your home, such as wood, paint, and carpeting, can release chemicals as well.
Outdoor pollution levels also affect indoor air quality. If you live in the vicinity of a factory or high-traffic roadway, outdoor pollution can become an indoor problem.
The upside is, there are numerous ways to address the situation. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as increasing a house’s ventilation to get more fresh air, such as with whole-house fan systems. Modern high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters also can remove many irritants from the air. Cleaning HVAC ducts, dryer vents, and chimneys can also improve air quality.
Some issues arise because the air in a home is either too dry or moist. If your house has dry air, a humidifier can make a major difference. Moist air can encourage mold growth, but a dehumidifier can prevent conditions from appearing that foster mildew and fungi. Because of the seasonal change between dry winter air and moist summer air in Maryland, customers often install both dehumidifiers and humidifiers in their homes.
