As a service to you and our community, I want to answer your questions so you can make educated and more informed decisions when it comes to your energy, comfort needs and saving money.
Dear Steve – I have been doing a lot of research on the Internet on air quality and its effects on the homeowner, particularly allergies. I am a little confused. What is your opinion on this subject?
Dear Confused – let me try to clarify and simplify the matter for you.
Every year about this time you can start to feel the effects of winter illnesses – including sore throats, watery or itchy eyes, runny noses, coughs and headaches. These same symptoms, however, could be coming from another source very close to home: poor quality indoor air.
Many families don’t realize that some of the problems they experience with allergies and asthma are sometimes caused or exacerbated by bad indoor air quality. What’s more, poor air quality can make you susceptible to illness. For example, if you have dry indoor air, your nasal passages tend to dry out, and that would make you more vulnerable to catching a cold or developing a sinus infection. When a heating system recycles dust and other allergens, your sinuses can get inflamed.
Poor indoor air quality is often produced by common family activities. Pollutants can build up from cooking smoke, indoor pets, cleaning products, hobby solutions, dust, air fresheners and candles, as well as carpeting, furniture and pesticides. Heating systems as well can recycle the pollutants into your living space, or even hide a carbon monoxide leak that has the potential to cause serious health issues in your home.
Along with the immediate effects of fatigue, dizziness and other symptoms that mimic colds and other viruses, long-term exposure to poor indoor air quality can lead to more serious health problems, including cancer, respiratory disease and heart disease. But homeowners don’t have to wonder if problems are in your indoor air. You can find out.
I recommend that homeowners have an indoor air quality test conducted in the home. If it turns out that your air is in great shape, it’s worth the peace of mind. On the other hand, if you discover a hidden problem that’s about to cause big health issues, you can’t overstate how important that is. Thanks for asking!
Email your questions to Info@MoyerComfort.com for the ASK STEVE column. Steve Moyer, licensed Master Plumber, EPA Certified HVAC Tech and President of Moyer Total Indoor Comfort will answer questions and give expert advice based on his 30+ years of experience in the field. www.moyercomfort.com
