Indoor Air Quality

Signs Your Home Has Poor Indoor Air Quality

Signs of poor indoor air quality can go unnoticed because they tend to be subtle at first. If these issues are not addressed, the subtle symptoms can intensify and evolve into more serious health concerns. Recognizing the warning signs of poor indoor air quality can help you address the problem and restore comfort quickly. 

Consider having your home’s air professionally tested if you are dealing with any of the following problems:

• Persistent or unpleasant odors. If you constantly notice musty, chemical, or stale smells in your home, it might be due to poor air quality. These odors could point to mold growth, unvented combustion gases, or airborne pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning products or carpets. Lingering smells often indicate that airborne contaminants are building up instead of dissipating properly.
• Visible mold growth or water damage. Spotting mold on walls, ceilings, or other surfaces signals a moisture issue that directly contributes to poor air quality. Mold releases spores into the air, which can aggravate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. Likewise, evidence of water damage often means there’s excess humidity – an unfortunately ideal condition for mold and mildew to thrive.
• Frequent allergy or asthma symptoms indoors. If sneezing, coughing, or difficulty breathing intensifies when you’re in your home, it could be the result of allergens like dust, pet dander, or mold in your air. Poor air quality can exacerbate existing sensitivities, causing constant discomfort and health issues when the source of allergens isn’t addressed.
• Dust accumulating quickly on surfaces. A home that seems dusty no matter how often you clean likely points to an ineffective or outdated HVAC system that is failing to filter particles properly. Excess dust in the air may include pollutants like pollen, skin flakes, and microscopic fibers that worsen indoor air quality over time.
• Excess humidity or dryness. Both high and low humidity in your home can negatively impact air quality. Excessive humidity encourages mold growth and dust mites, while overly dry air can irritate your nasal passages and exacerbate respiratory problems. A consistent imbalance in humidity highlights the need for improved humidity control or ventilation.
• Recurring headaches or fatigue. Poor indoor air can contribute to symptoms like headaches and lethargy due to the presence of pollutants like VOCs, carbon monoxide, or a lack of proper oxygen circulation. These subtle health effects are often overlooked but can signal that your air quality needs immediate attention.
• Foggy windows or condensation. Frequently fogged-up windows or condensation on cold surfaces inside your home are clear indications of poor ventilation and excess humidity. These conditions create a breeding ground for mold and mildew while also signaling stagnant, uncirculated air.
• Unusual changes in temperature or airflow. Uneven temperatures or weak airflow in certain areas of your home might point to clogged air ducts or an inefficient ventilation system. Poor circulation means pollutants stay trapped, leading to staler and more contaminated indoor air.

When you need dependable indoor air quality services in Lakeland, FL, turn to our seasoned pros at Watts Air Conditioning, Plumbing, & Electrical. Financing options are available, so call (863) 591-5689 or contact us online today!