Even though we enjoy a pretty healthy lifestyle in Yorba Linda, California we do spend a lot of time indoors. Whether in an office environment or in our homes, we often spend more time inside than outside, and the air that circulates throughout the structures where we live and work affects our health in many ways.
Unhealthy indoor air can cause the following:
- Increased reactions to allergens
- Runny, watery eyes
- Stuffy, congested nasal passages
- Constant runny nose
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Constant dry cough
- Fatigue and general malaise
- Frequent and persistent headaches
Pollutants inside your ductwork, air conditioning and heating systems can also make asthma and other chronic medical issues much worse, the longer you are exposed to them. Your home’s indoor air quality should be tested every year to make sure it’s not causing health issues. We found some helpful information about indoor air quality for consumers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA website offers some great tips and it provides downloads and printed materials about air quality as well.
According to the EPA, “In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.”
One of the best ways to keep your indoor air healthy is to have your AC and heating systems serviced regularly. Changing air filters is important, and if you have pets, changing or cleaning filters once a month is a good rule of thumb. Installing a newer AC or heating system that is higher efficiency and offers improved filtration can also help. Excalibur is one of the premiere air conditioning, heating and electrical home service providers in Orange County and we’ve been helping homes all over the area maintain their HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality. If you’re suffering from any of the above issues, give us a call at 714-400-BEST (714-400-2378). We’ll be happy to come and inspect your home to see what kind of air quality issues you might be having.