Your indoor air quality makes a big difference when it comes to the overall comfort of your home. Enhancing your home’s air quality can also make a difference when it comes to improving the health and well-being of those living in your home.

 

While you can’t control the air outside your home, you can implement a number of methods to improve indoor air quality. If you’re hoping to learn how to measure indoor air quality and how to improve air quality in your home, we’re here to answer your questions.

 

We’ll walk you through how to test indoor air quality and how to improve it to make your house safety and more comfortable for you and your family.

The Importance of Knowing How to Test Indoor Air Quality

The air you breathe has a big impact on your health, especially if you deal with allergies, asthma, or other health conditions. The more you’re exposed to air pollutants, both inside and outside your home, the bigger the effect they can have. While it’s almost impossible to avoid breathing any polluted air, you can work to improve the air quality of your home so you can make sure it’s a safe and comfortable place to be.

 

You may have noticed that your indoor air quality is deteriorating if you being to experience any of the following symptoms in excess:

• Irritated eyes, nose, or throat
• Dizziness
• Excessive fatigue
• Headaches

The most frequent causes of deteriorating air quality in homes are remodeling projects (having your kitchen redone, your basement finished, interior plumbing work) and mold and mildew growth. If you have moisture issues in your home, you may have an air quality issue as well.

 

Asthma, humidifier fever, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis are some long-term health issues that can occur due to bad indoor air quality. Figuring out how to measure indoor air quality as well as implementing methods to improve indoor air quality are the best ways to keep your home clean and safe.

Steps for How to Measure Indoor Air Quality

When figuring out how to check air quality indoors, know that you don’t have to do it alone. CroppMetcalfe is ready and willing to test the indoor air quality of your home to give you peace of mind that your family is as safe and healthy as possible. We can manage your indoor air quality so you don’t have to worry about it.

 

If you’re looking for some DIY methods to improve indoor air quality, keep reading for some of the best ways to test and improve indoor air quality on your own. 

1. Use an Indoor Air Quality Monitor 

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms that lead you to suspect your indoor air quality is deteriorating, you can use an air quality monitor to test your indoor air. This is a relatively inexpensive device that allows you to monitor the levels of your air pollution. It will help you quickly understand your air quality so you know if you need to take action.

 

When looking for air quality monitors, look for one that tests your humidity levels (so you can look for potential mold growth), the indoor temperature, the volatile organic compounds (chemical pollutants), levels of particulate matter (dust mites or other allergens), and the AQI (Air Quality Index).

2. Evaluate Health Symptoms

While this isn’t the most exact or accurate way to check air quality indoors, it can help you figure out if it’s time to take action. Paying close attention to your health is a great way to measure the air quality in your home. For example, if you start to notice excessive congestion, headaches, itchiness, or fatigue only while at home (or in certain areas of your home), then this may indicate poor air quality.

 

Keep in mind that symptoms of nausea and confusion are indicators that there may be dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home, which is a serious problem in need of immediate attention.

 

If you’re uncertain of your symptoms or think they may indicate another issue, speak with your doctor. It’s always a good idea for a skilled medical professional to evaluate your symptoms to help diagnose the problem.

3. Work with a Professional

This is one of the best ways to know for sure if you’re dealing with an air quality issue. If you suspect air quality issues or simply would like your air quality checked, reach out to CroppMetcalfe. Our skilled team can help you understand your air quality and give you guidance on how to improve it if necessary.

DIY Methods to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Now you know how to test indoor air quality, but how can you improve indoor air quality? Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can improve the air quality of your home without much trouble. Here are the best ways to improve indoor air quality.

Change Your Air Filters

The air filters in your HVAC system are what trap tiny air pollutants and keep them from circulating in your home, getting breathed in, and causing health problems. When you fail to clean your air filters, they get full and dirty, making them less effective and allowing pollutants to roam free.

 

Change your air filters regularly, especially if someone in your home struggles with asthma or allergies, you have pets, or you live in a busy area with high levels of outdoor pollution.

Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned

You might be surprised at the level of dust, debris, and other pollutants that collect inside your home’s air ducts. One of the best methods to improve indoor air quality is to make sure all the paths where your air travels are as clean as possible. Have your air ducts professionally cleaned to help reduce the number of pollutants in your ventilation system.

Vacuum Regularly

The amount of dust and debris that your carpets collect just through normal living might frighten you. A great way to improve your air quality is to vacuum regularly and get your rugs cleaned.

Manage Humidity Levels

Mold and mildew are common culprits for ruining the air quality in a home, and mold and mildew both thrive in moist environments. Control your home’s humidity levels to eliminate the risk of mold or mildew growth.

What It’s Like Working with a Professional

CroppMetcalfe always has your safety and comfort in mind, but this is especially true when it comes to air quality service visits. Reach out today to schedule an air quality test or for help in improving your home’s air quality. Feel free to ask our team any questions you have about your home’s air quality, or browse more of our homeowner resources. 

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