Air Quality

Why Is Indoor Air Quality So Important?

“I’m starting to think I’m allergic to my house.”

Does your brand new house cause you a stuffy nose?

Newer homes come well sealed and insulated, which is great for energy efficiency, but the lack of airflow can cause problems too. The constant re-circulated air in your home may cause all sorts of allergens to grow and cause humidity problems as well as possible damage from molds.

Not to worry! Colvin’s Heating and Cooling specializes in energy-efficient homes with high indoor air quality support.

We work at making sure fresh air is continuously flowing!

Fresh air decreases health-threatening pollutants and makes your home as comfortable as possible by ensuring a constant flow of fresh air. Opening windows isn’t always an option. So what can you do? Whole home ventilation systems mix fresh outside air in with your conditioned air allowing you to breathe easy.

HUMIDITY CONTROL​

If you keep your home’s relative humidity levels between 35% and 45% you will be much more comfortable and have healthier air to breathe.

Signs Your House Is Too Dry:

You can also run into problems with your health and home when the air is too dry.

During the winter, indoor relative humidity can be as dry as some of the world’s harshest deserts. If you experience any of these symptoms, the humidity in your home could be too low:

  • Excessive allergies or respiratory illnesses
  • Scratchy, sore throat or excessive cough
  • Dry, irritated nasal passages
  • Dry, itchy skin
  • Chapped lips
  • Static shocks
  • Cracked, peeling wallpaper
  • Warped or cracked wood
  • Damage to household furnishings

Signs Your House Is Too Humid:

  • Musty odors
  • Frequently damp areas
  • Condensation stains on the ceiling
  • Condensation or frost on windows
  • Sticky or clammy feeling in the air
  • Peeling wallpaper
  • You have to run your air conditioner more often to stay cool and dry

Do You Need Your Humidity Level Checked?

Call Colvin’s Heating and Cooling in Kearney at 816-630-2702.

We’ve got dehumidifiers and humidifiers that will help ensure your home is a comfortable home.

ALLERGIES A PROBLEM?​

Is your home air healthy? It may not be as healthy as you think. Chemicals, unseen particles, pet dander, and pollens through your home’s air may result in headaches and allergy flare-ups. Not to mention the health problems caused by mold and mildew.

How can I prevent indoor air quality problems?

Lucky for us all, preventing indoor air quality problems can be relatively easy. Just follow these tips:

  • Radon is the top cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, according to estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Test your home for radon. Go to www.epa.gov to find out more information and to see if your state provides free or discounted test kits to the public.
  • You should have carbon monoxide alarms installed close to all sleeping areas.
  • Make sure your home remains smoke free.
  • Dust mites can irritate allergies and asthma, particularly in children. To reduce them, clean regularly. While even regular cleaning can’t get rid of all dust problems, you can minimize them by making use of a whole-home filtration system with a MERV 16 rating, the highest capture efficiency among air cleaners.
  • Anything that burns gas should be vented outside.
  • Don’t use scented candles or aerosol sprays to mask odors. Instead, find the source of the odor and destroy it.
  • Cleaning supplies, paints and hobby products should be low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound), which are safer for your house and the environment. Ozone is a confirmed lung irritant, so it’s best to avoid using products that produce it.
  • You can help keep humidity levels comfortable using a humidifier or a dehumidifier, depending on your climate. Keep humidity under 50% to prevent mold and mildew buildup.
  • Fix all leaks and cracks in your home.
  • Make sure your home is properly ventilated, to stay clear of moisture problems. With a ventilation system, stale, contaminated indoor air is replaced with fresher outside air.

Having your HVAC equipment inspected to significantly reduce buildup of contaminants or moisture is an additional easy way to keep your home healthy.

You can call Colvin’s Heating and Cooling in Kearney at 816-630-2702.

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