Does Indoor Air Quality Really Matter?

Wondering if the quality of the air you breathe within your Woodbridge, Virginia, home really matters? Take a look at why indoor air quality is so important and what you can do to make sure the air in your home is clean.

What is Indoor Air Quality?

When you think of air pollution, you’re probably thinking about the smog that hovers over big cities and makes it hard to breathe. However, the quality of the air you breathe within your home or office is often much more polluted than anything outdoors. Since most people spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, they’re constantly exposed to indoor pollutants, including dust, pollen and other contaminants.

When an HVAC system operates, it re-circulates the air in a building up to several times per day, resulting in more consistent exposure to these contaminants. Certain maintenance tasks can reduce the number of pollutants that move into the HVAC system. Those include changing your filter regularly and having the ducts cleaned. You’re still potentially breathing harmful materials that can impact your overall health, though.

Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality

When you’re breathing contaminants regularly, you may start to suffer some of the health effects. Those with allergies often experience symptoms like congestion, eye irritation, headaches and coughing. These symptoms can be especially concerning in those with breathing conditions, such as asthma. Long-term exposure to pollutants can have more serious effects, such as respiratory disease, fatigue and dizziness.

Protecting Your Loved Ones

Indoor air quality certainly does matter, and it’s something you need to be aware of in your own home. By taking steps to keep the air healthy and clean, you can avoid many of these concerns and help your family breathe easier. Options to improve indoor air quality include adding air purifiers throughout the home or in conjunction with the HVAC system. Also, invest in HVAC maintenance regularly.

At Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer a number of indoor air quality solutions. Contact us at 703-783-0145 to learn more.

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