8 Ways to Tell If Your Indoor Air Quality Is Bad

In Arizona and other hot climates, most of us spend our lives in climate-controlled conditions. When summer temps swelter and nights are freezing, who can blame us? But while your home serves as a refuge from intense weather, the lack of fresh air circulating can lead to health problems. Unfortunately, even if you regularly open windows and keep things clean, your indoor air quality might be sub-par and leave a high concentration of contaminants and particles in your home.

This could lead to respiratory problems, allergies, and infections. The good news is that you can prevent issues brought on by poor air quality by treating the problem at its source.

Here we outline some signs that your indoor air quality is less than ideal. These indications can help you prevent any health issues from arising and guide you toward help if further action is warranted. Read on for more…

1. Coughing or Difficulty Breathing

Coughing or difficulty breathing are some of the most prevalent indications of poor indoor air quality. A lack of ventilation could be causing a higher concentration of particles in the air, leading to these respiratory issues. Without proper air circulation, fresh oxygen in the room naturally dwindles. Breathing in poor indoor quality air over an extended period could lead to complications and other respiratory problems and affect overall health – especially for the vulnerable, such as children or the elderly.

2. Sneezing or Allergic Reactions

Along with coughing and breathing difficulties, sneezing is another common signal of poor indoor air quality, which often arrives in conjunction with watery eyes and irritation in the nose and throat. These symptoms are also possible signs of an allergic reaction. If allergy season has ended and you still experience allergy-like symptoms, they may not be caused by the weather, but rather by contaminants present in the air, causing your body to react.

3. Skin Dryness or Irritation

Wondering why you have rashes, redness, or dry skin? If you are unable to pinpoint other possible causes, it may be due to the poor quality of the air indoors. This is due to the concentration of pollutants present in the air. When bacteria and other air pollutants interact with your skin, they can cause dryness and general imbalance.

4. Headaches or Nausea

Recurrent, unexplained headaches can be caused by air pollution or poor indoor air quality. Contaminants, such as chemicals like pesticides and cleaning products, are known to cause headaches, as is poor air quality caused by environmental factors such as smoke from wildfires.

Fumes and carbon monoxide can also pose problems to your health and be potentially lethal. This could lead to dizziness and nausea, and if left unchecked, can cause serious consequences.

5. Inability to Sleep

Poor indoor air quality can lead to difficulty sleeping. According to some research, people are 60% less likely to have restful sleep when there are high levels of air pollution in the area. Other factors that might impact sleep are temperature and humidity. Research indicates that people sleep better in cool temperatures, around 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Dust or Sand Buildup

Areas with excessive dust and sand can contribute to indoor air quality that is less than optimal. If you’ve noticed dust building up in your air filters and around your vents, it could signal a high amount of pollutants in your home.

Consider upgrading to an advanced air filter to address the dust problem in your home. Also, it’s wise to manage the dust buildup through regular cleaning. Investing in a good quality vacuum and using it a few times a week can help keep the air in your home free of dust and debris.

7. Hot and Cold Spots

Do you notice any cold spots or hot spots within your home? This is generally a sign that the air does not flow properly throughout. There might be a bigger issue, including blocked registers, dirty air filters, or leaking fluids in your AC system.

One other possible cause of uneven temperatures is due to an AC system’s size that is not well matched to your home. Whatever the causes, make sure to have a qualified professional check on your system.

8. Unpleasant Odor

Stagnant air can result in unpleasant odors, most of which may come from various sources. Aside from chemical contaminants and dust, it could also be caused by pollen or mold. You can address these unwanted smells by conducting some duct cleaning.

Another sign of poor air circulation is when ordinary smells linger longer than they should. Make sure to check your ventilation for any possible issues and fix them as soon as possible. Most smells won’t last more than a few seconds because normal ventilation should whisk them off.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality ASAP 

Poor air quality can lead to bigger problems that compromise your health and well-being. Before it gets worse, make sure your ventilation system works well and the air is circulating properly within your home. A qualified professional can help you ascertain the proper remediation steps and get you on your way to better indoor air quality!

Get in touch today to learn how National First Response can help!