At Modern PHE, we recognize the importance of having good, clean indoor air (IAQ) for your home or your business.
Our business is dedicated to providing our customers in East Idaho with ways to improve their indoor air quality. Our knowledgeable and experienced staff is committed to provide you with the best service, best options, and best prices.
Indoor air quality is particularly important for those with allergies or respiratory issues, the chronically ill, young children, and the elderly. If left unchecked, poor air quality can exacerbate existing medical issues or possibly create new ones. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.”
While there are many things in our lives and homes that we might not be able to control; indoor air quality is one thing that we can correct and improve.
Modern PHE offers a variety of solutions for all of your indoor air quality needs.
Here are some of the services we offer related to air quality:
- Air filters
- Air purifiers
- Air duct repair and replacement
- Duct design
- Humidifiers
- Ozone purifiers
- UV light filter systems
- Whole house filtration
What is the air quality like in your home?
The air quality in your home can be impacted by many things, which can often be unseen or overlooked. Reviewing this information can help you identify potential areas of concern.
Here are factors that can pollute the air quality inside your home.
Ventilation or HVAC system
The way the air moves in and out of your home is important. Having a sufficient ventilation helps create good airflow for indoor spaces.
On the other hand, insufficient ventilation keeps polluted air inside and restricts fresh air from being circulated throughout the home which traps moisture along with allergens inside your home. Air ducts and filters can become dirty or moldy if not maintained regularly, causing the air quality inside your home to decrease even more.
Allergens
Certain allergens can greatly impact indoor air quality, which can cause major issues for those who suffer from allergies or asthma.
Dust comes from a variety of sources (hair, dirt, skin cells, and pollen), and it can accumulate, on surfaces such as carpets, rugs, or furniture.
Pet dander is another common allergen. Dogs and cats shed fur and dander daily that, like dust, collect on surfaces/areas of your home.
Volatile organic compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) refer to the gases emitted from certain products (solids or liquids). VOC examples include air fresheners, building materials, cleaning supplies, deodorants, dry cleaning agents, disinfectants, glues, lacquer, office equipment (copiers and printers), paint, pesticides, solvents, tobacco smoke, and wood-burning stoves.
While some other VOCs might only impact an indoor space temporarily or for a short period of time. With a proper ventilation system, they can be cleared out with minor irritation. VOCs can be more harmful, especially if exposed for long periods of time.
Weather conditions
Humidity causes air pollutants to stay in the air longer. This occurs because the air is heavy with moisture (water molecules) to which the pollutants cling, and in turn promotes the growth of mold and bacteria.
Cold and hot weather can also impact indoor air quality. When it is cold, you may introduce pollutants into the air by using wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. VOC(s) When it is hot, air can become stagnant and increase the growth of mold or bacteria. Temperatures can also create poor outdoor air quality that permeates your inside space, examples include thermal inversions in cold weather or smoky wildfires in hot weather.
How do you know you need air quality services?
Since many of the air pollutants that negatively impact indoor air quality are invisible, it’s difficult to know to what extent it has been impacted.
Here are some common signs that you may need to take action now to improve your air quality:
- You have increased allergy or asthma symptoms without going outdoors.
- You experience a change in your health, especially after changes to your indoor space (moving, remodeling, use of pesticides).
- You are frequently ill.
- You see visible dirt around the ventilation vents or ductwork.
- You observe a stale or musty smell that will not go away.
- You notice mold or mildew growth.
Common health symptoms that occur from poor air quality can include the following:
- Cough or throat irritation
- Eye irritation
- Headache
- Nausea
- Nose irritation
- Sinus issues
- Skin irritation
- Sneezing
If you experience these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that your home has poor air quality. But attention to how and when you experience your symptoms. If you leave the house and, notice the symptoms decrease or disappear completely. It may warrant a further investigation into your indoor air quality.
Typically, eliminating the source of the air pollutant will cause the symptoms to go away without any additional treatment, however, if your symptoms linger or you have concerns, schedule a visit with your physician.
Tips to Improve Your Home or Business’s Air Quality
If you believe that your home might have poor indoor air quality, here are tips you can use that might help improve the air quality. Some of these are easy to do yourself while others might require professional help.
- Change your air filters every 30 to 90 days. This replacement schedule could be shorter if you have pets or live in an area with a lot of dust. Also, consider changing all filters (e.g. vacuum) in your house.
- Open doors and windows when the weather permits to let fresh air in.
- Use exhaust fans in areas (e.g., bathroom and kitchen) that are more susceptible to air pollutants and moisture. If you do not have fans in those areas, install them.
- Have your air ducts and vents inspected for effectiveness and cleanliness,
- Use ceiling or floor fans to help circulate the indoor air.
- Regularly clean your home to reduce the dust, pet dander, mold, mildew, and other allergens and air pollutants. This includes vacuuming, laundering your bedding, dusting, etc.
- Use an air purifier to reduce indoor allergens.
- Use a dehumidifier in areas that are damp to reduce the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria.
- Reduce indoor activities that can negatively impact the air quality, such as smoking.
- Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
- Have fireplaces and chimneys inspected regularly.
- Enlist the help of additional ventilation methods when using harsh chemicals or completing building renovations. This can also include using certain supplies for your favorite hobby.
- Get your HVAC system serviced regularly to ensure it is working properly.
We've Got the Solutions
If you live in East Idaho, Modern PHE is here to answer your indoor air quality questions. Our experienced staff can help you identify potential problems that may be compromising your indoor air. And, we will offer you affordable solutions to improve or correct the issue.
Contact us today to schedule a free estimate. Let us help you have the best possible indoor air quality!
