Poor indoor air quality in a home is one of the most common triggers for a wide range of health problems. Even if there doesn’t seem to be direct visual evidence of a specific problem, such as dust or mold, you need to consider the possibility that particular health issues are tied to your home’s air quality. Here is a look at five common health risks linked to poor indoor air quality, the signs that they’re present, and how our HVAC technicians at Beltway Air Conditioning, Heating, & Plumbing help customers address them.
1. Mold Growth
Mold naturally occurs in the air almost everywhere, but the high humidity levels in Maryland’s Prince George’s and Montgomery counties make it a notable regional problem. This is especially true during hot and humid summers that produce an ideal environment for mold growth. Mold can cause multiple respiratory health issues, including coughing, wheezing and congestion. Some folks also have skin reactions to mold.
Visible mold growth is the most obvious sign of a problem. It can appear as discoloration of walls and ceilings, particularly on white surfaces. You may also notice a musty odor, what people sometimes think of as a “basement smell.” Extreme mold issues can even lead to surfaces that feel mushy and have some give when you press on them, such as a soft spot in your home’s flooring.
Fortunately, HVAC upgrades are well-suited to addressing mold issues. A good dehumidification system can get the humidity level into the 30% to 50% range that’s best for your health. Likewise, installing an HVAC system that supports high-efficiency air filters can clean the breathable mold from the air that the dehumidifier might miss. Also, an efficient HVAC system should have a high-quality air intake that will ensure a supply of fresh and properly conditioned air in your house. The combination of those three solutions ensures clean, dry and filtered air.
2. Dust
Many people react to dust problems in their homes by sneezing. Other people experience a runny or itchy nose. Your eyes could be red and itchy, and they may also water. As with mold, people often have skin reactions. If anyone in your household has an existing respiratory issue, such as asthma or COPD, they may have worse symptoms when they’re in the house.
Dust often accumulates in a home. If you see it settling or a lot or have to clean it constantly, then there’s probably a dust problem. The issue is often most noticeable in the low-traffic parts of a house. Similarly, dust will usually be more present near air registers.
High-efficiency air filters are the main line of defense against dust. Also, a good duct cleaning can make a major difference. Make sure to schedule duct cleaning as needed to deal with the problem. Sealing the ductwork is also a good idea since dust often sneaks into the ducts through a home’s basement.
3. Volatile Organic Compounds
Chemicals are everywhere in modern life, and many pose indoor air quality issues. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can come from an almost endless list of everyday items, including cleaning products, paints, solvents, hairsprays and perfume. They can even come from things like new carpets, printers, cookware and glues. Some dry cleaning chemicals can even track into the home.
Most of the signs are VOCs in your home are health-related. Your household may experience headaches, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Some people may also experience red and itchy eyes. Existing respiratory concerns are likely to worsen in the presence of VOCs.
The one non-health-related sign is a strong chemical smell. VOCs often smell industrial and gassy.
An HVAC system with a good air intake is critical to dealing with VOCs because fresh air is the best solution. Very high-efficiency filters are also optimal. HEPA filters rated MERV 13 or higher can catch most of the bigger particles released from VOC-generating products. In April 2024, Maryland passed legislation requiring a minimum of MERV 13 for residences in the state. You may also want to consider an activated carbon filter because the carbon can react with the chemicals. Notably, keeping humidity in that 30%-to-50% range can reduce some chemical reactivity.
You may also want to consider using a programmable thermostat to run the HVAC for longer cycles. This works best when you know what the source of the VOCs is, such as a recently installed carpet, a piece of furniture or a dried paint or stain.
4. Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is one of the rare cases where the HVAC system itself could be the culprit. CO can come from a furnace or other heating system that’s malfunctioning. This may happen if the system was poorly installed or has aged to the point of inefficiency. Other sources of CO in the home include gas ovens, water heaters, improperly installed generators and clothes dryers. Homes with fireplaces and chimneys are especially vulnerable to CO build-up.
The presence of carbon monoxide can trigger headaches, dizziness and nausea. However, the most extreme scenario could lead to someone passing out or even dying. Making CO even scarier is that there’s no way to see, smell or otherwise perceive its presence. Without installing a carbon monoxide detector, you won’t be sure if there’s a problem.
Even if the HVAC system in your house is brand new, have one of our technicians check it. Manufacturing and installation issues are rare, but they happen. If the HVAC system is old, that’s another reason to check it. You can ask our technicians to install a CO detector because it’s a cheap way to avoid a tragedy.
If your HVAC equipment isn’t the source of the problem, there are still some solutions. A high-efficiency HVAC system with a good air intake can provide more fresh air and dilute the CO level. Also, test the air pressure in your home’s registers, ducts and vents. If the air pressure isn’t balanced, you can get back pressure. For example, the air from the kitchen might flow into other rooms, raising the CO levels in them.
5. Air Pollution
Outdoor air pollution can become an indoor air quality issue. You may notice chemical or smoky smells, especially if the pollution originates from vehicle exhausts or a nearby factory. It is rare to see old-school sooty pollution, but it can occur in high-traffic areas, especially near intersections and highways.
The health signs tend to be coughing and wheezing. Throat irritation is very common. Eye and nose irritation can also happen. As with other chemically induced issues on this list, headaches and dizziness can occur.
High-efficiency air filtration is essential for treating pollution. Also, regular duct cleaning and HVAC maintenance will make a major difference. You want the ducts to be sealed tight, too, to prevent pollution uptake.
Beltway Air Conditioning, Heating, & Plumbing proudly serves Hanover, MD and the surrounding areas. We handle a host of HVAC needs, including work on oil and gas furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners and ducts.
If you suspect an indoor air quality problem in your home, contact our technicians at Beltway Air Conditioning, Heating, & Plumbing so that you can address the health risks immediately.
