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How to Test Indoor Air Quality

When most people think about their home’s indoor climate, they usually think about the overall temperature. But another factor to consider is indoor air quality — a factor more important than ever. When our indoor air is clean, we usually notice it: the air may smell fresh or it feel good to breath in. However, when your indoor air quality is poor, it’s often hard to detect. Besides noticing strange smells or stuffy air, most issues are subtle to our senses. Despite the lack of obvious warning signs, poor indoor air quality can be harmful to the health of you and your home. That said, we must do our best to keep our indoor air as clean as possible, otherwise you might experience respiratory issues and other health problems. However, even with the importance of proper indoor air quality, many people forget to get their air tested. Luckily, there are multiple ways to test your indoor air quality. Although the most trusted tests are done by air quality professionals, there are a few tests you can complete on your own as well.

Pay Attention to Your Air Quality

Using your ears, nose, and eyes is an effective (and cheap) method for detecting poor air quality. When you’re watching TV, cooking in the kitchen, or reading a book, pay attention to the air around you. Does it feel stuffy? Does it smell odd? Does it feel fresh and clean? If you notice anything abnormal, you could have an air quality problem. While this method doesn’t give you an exact answer, it can help point you in the right direction. If something feels off with your air, we recommend performing more tests or seeking a professional.

Note What’s Going on Around You

If you have a suspicion your home has an air quality problem, the issue could be in your surroundings. Problems can stem from many different sources, but common culprits can be new construction or manufacturing in the area. If there are big renovations going on next door or a few homes being built down the street, that can release a large number of chemicals and particles into the air, which can then be pulled into your home and dispersed through your vents. Especially in neighborhoods where homes are close together, it’s vital to pay attention to what’s going on nearby. Even if your neighbor decides to paint their entire house, this can have an effect on your air quality.

Spot Inconsistent Climates Throughout Your Home

Another great way to spot poor indoor air quality checking for temperature variations between rooms. While sunlight and other factors play a role in room temperature, your indoor climate should feel pretty consistent throughout the home. A red flag to look for is if one room feels compared to others. This poor air circulation and ventilation, leading to poor air quality in certain parts of your home. Do a walkthrough of your home and examine the changes between each and every room. Note any differences in temperature, humidity levels, and odors. If you notice a lot of big changes from room to room, investigate further with testing.

In-Home Test Kits

When it comes to actually performing these tests, it’s important to understand what we’re testing for. The air quality dangers to worry about most are radon, carbon monoxide, allergens, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), and mold. There are many cost-effective air quality monitors on the market that test for these dangerous contaminants. They are easy to install and typically cost under $300. However, these monitors typically only test for allergens, VOCs, temperature, and mold. For carbon monoxide testing, detectors should be installed on every floor of your home. For radon testing, separate kits can be purchased that test for charcoal. These kits then usually have to be mailed to a lab for analysis. Although seeking a professional is the most reliable option for air quality testing, in-home testing kits can be effective.

Call the Professionals at East Coast Mechanical

At East Coast Mechanical, we proudly serve Boynton Beach, FL and surrounding areas with the in air conditioning solutions. Serving the local area since 1985, we’re the most qualified local company to tend your cooling needs. Call us today!

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