Clean indoor air is important to health and comfort. Too often, the first signs that indoor air quality has become seriously degraded are indications that the health of one or more people in your home is not good. Your home should be your sanctuary, but knowing when your air is bad is the first step in protecting your space. Some warning signs are respiratory issues, bad odors, dust, problems with humidity levels, and feeling tired in your home.

1. Prolonged Allergies or Respiratory Problems

If you or your family is continuously sneezing, coughing, or suffering from congestion, indoor air quality could be the culprit. Irritants like dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander can trigger allergic reactions and exacerbate respiratory problems. If your symptoms get worse in your home and simmer down once you leave, it’s a good sign your home’s air quality may need attention.

2. Unpleasant or Musty Smells

Unwelcome odors that hang around your home and won’t go away, even when you clean up the place or open the windows for some ventilation, are usually because of bad indoor air quality. Musty smells indicate moisture issues or mold formation, which in most cases badly affects air quality and could provoke certain health problems if it remains the same for an extended period.

3. Excessive Dust Accumulation

Does your house seem like it accumulates more dust than usual? Little dust is inevitable, but having more than the normal amount may mean there is improper air filtration or circulation. Many times, dust particles carry allergens and other pollutants that reduce the quality of air as a whole. If you clean dust regularly but don’t see an improvement, that’s a sign that your HVAC system is not filtering the air correctly.

4. Increased Humidity or Dryness

The humidity levels in your house are a significant part of healthy indoor air. Too much moisture promotes mold growth, but dry air can be irritating to people and cause dry skin, nosebleeds, and even respiratory distress. If the house is too humid or too dry, this may hint that your HVAC system is not controlling the indoor environment very well.

5. Noticeable Fatigue or Headaches Indoors

Symptoms that are unexplained like excessive fatigue or headaches when in the home, but there are no symptoms when you leave, means there is a good chance that there is something wrong with the air in your home. Carbon monoxide, VOCs, or a lack of fresh air may be the culprit.

After all, air quality is a major component of home comfort and well-being. If you notice one or several of these warning signs, then it becomes necessary to take immediate action and have the problem rectified before things get worse. For indoor air quality improvement in Bensalem, PA, call Hughes HVAC today!