What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality

Several factors influence and contribute to your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ), including temperature, ventilation, humidity and indoor pollutants. If these factors are not properly controlled, it can lead to poor indoor air quality.

It’s important to understand and control indoor air quality because we spend a significant amount of time indoors, and poor indoor air quality can have a direct impact on our health and well-being. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to a variety of health issues, ranging from allergies and headaches to long-term effects, like heart disease and cancer.

Fortunately, regular HVAC maintenance can help improve the quality of the air inside your home, and Extreme Climates also offers several indoor air quality products and solutions for homeowners in the Hampton Roads Region.

7 Common Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality

The most common causes of poor indoor air quality include the following:

  • Cooking & Combustion – Gas stoves, frying food, wood fires and candles release carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and tiny particles into the air.
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – Chemicals in paint, new furniture, and strong cleaning sprays emit gases, like formaldehyde.
  • Allergens & Pets – Dust mites, pollen from outside, and pet dander float in the air and settle on surfaces.
  • Tobacco Smoke – Cigarette smoke can linger in the air for hours and leave harmful residue on surfaces.
  • Mold & Mildew – Damp areas from leaks or high humidity can grow mildew and mold, and release spores into the air.
  • Lack of Ventilation – Modern, energy-efficient homes can trap stale air and carbon dioxide when kept tightly sealed.
  • Hidden Gases – Natural radioactive radon gas can seep up through cracks in your home’s foundation.

How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

There are a number of ways to improve and maintain your indoor air quality. The easiest and most straightforward way is to schedule regular HVAC maintenance, since your HVAC provides ventilation and humidity control, and filters airborne particles. Other natural ways to improve your IAQ include adding indoor plants and vacuuming regularly.

Extreme Climates also offers a variety of additional indoor air quality solutions to help improve your IAQ. Whether it’s installing a humidifier, a dehumidifier or an air cleaning system, we’ve got you covered.

Indoor Air Quality Solutions in Hampton Roads, VA

Don’t let pollutants, dust and allergens keep you from being comfortable in your own home. At Extreme Climates, your comfort, health and safety are our top priority. We specialize in indoor air quality services that improve the air you breathe and provide a long-term solution to ensure the air in your home remains healthy.

For dependable, professional indoor air quality services in Yorktown, Williamsburg, Gloucester and the surrounding areas, give us a call at (757) 833-0058, or contact us online.