Indoor air quality testing helps find the cause of symptoms people are experiencing in the home or office. Poor air quality has a wide range of effects. Regular testing can minimize them by allowing you to take action on specific issues. Indoor air can contain volatile organic compounds, biological pollutants, pet dander, dust, asbestos, lead, pesticides, particulates, secondhand smoke, and many other harmful materials. Even excess moisture can cause indoor air quality issues.

Why You Need Indoor Air Quality Testing

With regular indoor air quality testing, you can see benefits such as:

1. Improved Health Effects

Symptoms of poor air quality include nasal irritation, scratchy throat, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. The effects can mimic those of allergies, colds, and viruses. People with asthma may see worsened symptoms. If the effects occur in one place or area, and go away when you leave, the origin of your symptoms may be an indoor air source.

Over time, some indoor air pollutants increase the risk of respiratory disease, heart problems, and cancer. You can therefore improve your short- and long-term health by having your indoor air tested and taking measures to correct any problems. For example, you can change the types of cleaning product you use, improve ventilation of air coming into your home, or have your ductwork and other HVAC equipment serviced or updated.

2. Boost Your Comfort

The effects of poor indoor air quality vary from person to person. The symptoms alone can be downright uncomfortable. Nobody wants to have nose, eye, or throat irritation, but improving air quality can provide relief. Even a dull headache may be a symptom of something dangerous, such as carbon monoxide exposure. It’s therefore important to take note of your symptoms and have indoor air quality checked to be on the safe side.

Indoor humidity should be between 30% and 50%. Higher levels can make it feel warm and sticky and increase the risk of mold. If the humidity is too low, you might experience dry skin, more colds and viruses, and static electricity. Indoor air quality testing can determine exactly what’s limiting your comfort level so you can take steps to improve it.

3. Increased Efficiency and Lower Electric Bills

Air quality issues often result from poor ventilation, which can cause your heating and cooling system to work harder. This increases the strain on the system, so it uses more energy, increasing your utility bill. Allowing air in from outside helps reduce concentrations of indoor pollutants. However, increased airflow from outdoors on a hot or cold day forces your HVAC system to compensate, so it’s important to carefully control ventilation in a building.

4. Improved Employee Performance

When workers are more comfortable, productivity tends to increase. Reducing the incidences of illness and poor air quality symptoms can equally lower absence rates and improve performance. By complying with the latest building standards and using surveys to determine employee comfort levels related to temperature, humidity, and other factors, you can narrow down the pollutants to test for. Compare your survey to a floorplan to spot trends and trouble spots. In addition to analyzing results, share them with everyone to improve accuracy and reporting.

5. Reduced Pet and House Odors

Smoke, combustion products, rodent droppings, mold, and other indoor pollutants can give off unpleasant smells. Oftentimes the problem is hidden deep inside your AC ducts. Foul odors can make people in your home or office miserable. Plus, they can indicate more serious problems that can put their health and safety at risk. A cleaner smell is also more inviting to guests, employees, clients, and visitors.

Schedule Indoor Air Quality Testing Today

Sky Heating and Air Conditioning provides air quality services in and around Portland, OR. If necessary, we can perform an indoor air quality upgrade with solutions such as electronic air cleaners, UV treatment systems, and whole-house air purification systems. We’ll even help choose the right solution or you. To learn more or schedule an evaluation, contact us online or call (541) 275-2918 today.