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As a Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, resident, you’ll be happy to know that its county, St. Johns, has better outdoor air quality than 79% of other Florida counties. However, this doesn’t automatically apply to indoor air. After all, indoor air quality (IAQ) can be worse than outdoor air, as there are many other causes and contributors to poor IAQ.
To that end, we created this guide discussing the top culprits behind poor IAQ and how indoor air quality testing can help. So read on, as what you learn here can help you make the air inside your home healthier and breathable again.
1. Plumbing and Roofing Leaks
Plumbing leaks are so common in U.S. homes that they collectively waste nearly a trillion gallons of water yearly. They waste precious water and energy while increasing water bills. They (along with roofing leaks) also increase indoor humidity levels, contributing to mold growth.
Excessive mold growth in your home can decrease IAQ, as molds release spores that become airborne contaminants. Breathing in mold spores can cause allergy-like symptoms and trigger asthma attacks.
So, if you suspect you have plumbing or roofing leaks at home, please have your local licensed contractors assess and repair them immediately. Reducing these unwanted moisture sources is critical to minimizing and preventing mold growth at home. The fewer mold spores in your indoor air, the better your IAQ can be.
2. Ill-Maintained Air Conditioners
Air conditioning systems help improve indoor air quality through air filtration and dehumidification. Unfortunately, lack of maintenance can cause them to do your air more good than bad.
Filthy Air Filters
One way an ill-maintained AC contributes to poor IAQ is through clogged air filters.
AC filters trap airborne contaminants before they enter the system and cause inefficiencies. However, they can become blocked with dirt and debris after a few months of use. When that happens, unfiltered air can bypass and circulate throughout your system and air ducts.
To prevent those issues, check your filters monthly to see if they need changing. If there’s visible build-up (a gray, ashy layer of residue), it’s time to replace or wash them.
AC Drain Pan Problems
Your AC “cools” your home by absorbing heat and humidity from the indoor air. To do this, it turns the moisture in the air into water droplets. These droplets then fall into the AC drain pan, channeling the water out of your home.
Over time, though, the AC drain pan can become clogged with dirt, dust, debris, mold, and mildew. When that happens, condensation will keep collecting in the pan and, given enough time, evaporate, making the air humid again. In some cases, especially in older systems without a float switch, the pan may overflow and cause water damage.
You can prevent such issues by hiring professionals for regular spring AC maintenance. This preventive strategy can also help maintain your system’s smooth and efficient performance. As a bonus, routine tune-ups can extend your air conditioner’s lifespan.
3. Gas Leaks
These leaks can originate from damaged natural gas pipes and defective gas-using equipment like ovens and furnaces. Faulty furnace parts (e.g., cracked heat exchangers) can also leak out toxic combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide (CO).
Natural gas and CO can contribute to poor IAQ and cause harmful health effects. Natural gas is non-toxic, but it can cause suffocation. CO, on the other hand, is toxic and can also cause suffocation.
Fortunately, you can prevent those dangers by having your gas-using equipment and appliances professionally serviced yearly.
4. Household Products and Activities
Many household products can cause indoor air quality issues by releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some examples are:
- Cleaning chemicals
- Disinfectant aerosols
- Pesticides
- Adhesives, glues, and solvents in furniture and plywood
At elevated levels, VOCs in the air can cause detrimental health effects, such as eye, nose, and throat irritation.
Vaping or smoking tobacco inside the house can also affect residential air quality. Other typical indoor pollution sources are kerosene and wood-burning appliances.
5. Filthy HVAC Ducts
Your air ducts are the conduits that circulate conditioned air throughout each room in your home. Over time, air pollutants can build up in them, and dirty air filters can accelerate this process.
If you now have dirty air ducts, the air passing through them can circulate the contaminants throughout your home. As a result, your IAQ can suffer.
So, consider investing in regular air duct maintenance and cleaning. It can help improve your IAQ and help you and your loved ones breathe better.
How Indoor Air Quality Testing Can Help
Aside from the tips above, it also pays to get your indoor air tested to determine if and what makes it polluted. With this assessment, you can find out if the air inside your home contains high levels of the following:
- Mold and mildew
- Dust
- Pet dander
- Dangerous gases
An air sample test is one of the most common ways to assess indoor air quality. With this, an IAQ specialist will obtain a sample of your home’s indoor air. They will then send it to a laboratory for analysis.
What’s Next?
Once the IAQ test results are out, the specialist can help you determine the possible sources of the pollutants. They’ll also offer solutions to improve your IAQ, such as:
- Installing a whole-house air purification system
- Changing existing air filters with better, more efficient ones
- Air scrubbing services
- UV light installation
- Applying germicidal products
With these indoor air quality solutions, you and your loved ones can breathe cleaner, healthier air at home.
Time to Boost Your Indoor Air Quality
Plumbing leaks, ill-maintained AC units, and filthy air ducts are some of the primary causes of poor indoor air quality. The good news is that you can address and manage them by following our strategies.
At Envirovac Air Duct Cleaning, we specialize in indoor air quality testing and innovative solutions. We’ve been providing these services since 1991 to North Florida residents, including Ponte Vedra Beach. So, you can trust us to have the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary to help improve your home’s IAQ.
Speak with us today to learn how we can help you enjoy cleaner, healthier indoor air!
