When people think about air quality, they generally focus on the air outside.
However, the air inside your home can be just as harmful - if not more so - because it exists in a closed space.
If you often find yourself sneezing, coughing or otherwise feeling badly after you return home, the poor quality of your internal air may be to blame.
A professional heating and air conditioning company can perform a comprehensive evaluation to help you determine if you have a problem with your home air.
They will review with you the available options to help improve home air quality that should have a direct benefit on your health.
There are several ways a professional can check the air in your home.
Condensation on your home's windows or an odor that seems to linger, even when the windows are open, are common signs that the air in your home needs improving.
A range of issues including improper home ventilation, mold or excess moisture in the home may cause these problems.
Your technician will also want to know what type of health problems you and your family have experienced.
Harmful buildup and other contaminants which can block the flow of air in your system are often the cause.
Likewise, the offending culprits could be bacteria, viruses or even spores, which are drawn to the cool dark interior of your system.
Allergies, asthma or other air-related illnesses that seem to get worse when you are home should also be reported to your technician.
To properly assess the air in your home, your heating and cooling professional will likely conduct a battery of diagnostic tests on your system.
Temperature, pressure and humidity are just a few of the factors that may be part of your air quality evaluation.
A thorough inspection of your air ducts will also be completed to make sure that dust, mold or other problematic agents do not obstruct them.
If you live in a warm or coastal environment, your system is especially susceptible to these types of complications.
Once your air quality evaluation is complete, you will know what issues you have, if any, and how specifically to deal with them.
In some cases, the solution could be as simple as having an air duct cleaning or installing a UV light in your air system, which is highly effective at killing bacteria, mold, spores and similar pollutants.
If a more extensive solution is needed like a whole home humidifier or even a brand new climate control system, your heating and air conditioning professional will be able to help you find the right product and install it as well.
You may even be able to order what you need through the company that performs your evaluation.
Your home is your refuge from the outside world.
However, if your air quality is poor your home could actually be making you and your family sick.
With a professional air quality evaluation you'll have the information and resources you need to improve the air in your house so you can finally breathe easy.