Why Indoor Air Quality Matters and What You Can Do

You might think you only need to worry about air pollution outdoors. Yet, the air you breathe inside your Colorado Springs home isn’t always much better, especially if it contains toxic substances like volatile organic compounds or VOCs. Keep reading to learn why your indoor air quality matters and how to clean your air using air purifiers and UV lights.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters

The average person spends up to 90% of their time indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). With that much time spent inside, you want to make sure the air you breathe is healthy. Contaminated air makes allergy symptoms worse, causes respiratory illnesses and can even make you feel tired and unmotivated.

What Are VOCs?

VOCs are gases that some liquids and solids emit. Sources of VOCs include household cleaners, paints, pesticides, moth repellants, stored fuel products, aerosol sprays and even dry-cleaned clothing. Health risks associated with VOCs go beyond headaches and fatigue. Some studies suggest that VOCs are carcinogens and can increase a person’s risk of developing certain cancers.

Keep Your Air Clean With This Technology

Maintaining healthy indoor air is something that everyone should take seriously. Having your ductwork cleaned regularly, replacing dirty HVAC filters and ensuring proper ventilation help keep the air cleaner, but you can do more to keep your home free of contaminants. Technology like air purifiers and UV lights help you clean your home’s air better. Here’s how:

• Air purifiers: Purifiers clean air circulating throughout the house when the HVAC runs. The purifier grabs particles from the air and captures them in a filter. Although purifiers do a good job cleaning the air, they don’t protect against all contaminants.
• UV lights: These air cleaners use low-frequency ultraviolet radiation to kill bacteria and virus-causing airborne particles. If you want to keep your household germ-free, this type of cleaner is what you need.

Managing your home’s indoor air quality isn’t always an easy task. Call I.C.E. Heating & Cooling to learn more about choosing the best indoor air quality products.