Poor Indoor Air Quality – Causes And How To Fix It

Chronic health issues, headaches, and lethargy have all been linked to a silent home invader: poor air quality.We breathe the air in our homes every day. It’s no surprise, then, that poor indoor air quality can lead to these problems. But what causes poor indoor air quality? And, most importantly, how can we fix it? These are some of the questions we aim to answer in this brief guide. If you think something is amiss around your home, read on – it may be poor indoor air quality. And with the right attention and some expert help, that’s a problem you can fix.

Before looking at the causes of poor indoor air quality, it’s important to look at its symptoms

Poor air quality isn’t always something we notice. When you think about it, things like pollution, smog, and dust all come to mind. But in reality, poor air quality is rarely noticeable – at least, not by sight or smell. One of the main giveaways of poor indoor air quality is symptomatic. Things like respiratory issues, chronic fatigue, frequent headaches, burning eyes, and dizziness are all indicators. If you’ve started experiencing these symptoms since moving into a new house, you may be affected by poor air quality. It’s important to take these symptoms seriously, too. Even if they’re manageable for the time being, they can develop into more serious issues later in life.

A common cause of poor indoor air quality is a dirty air conditioner filter – here’s how to fix it

If you’re like most Queenslanders, you rely on an air conditioner almost all summer long. Air conditioners are designed to improve our air by passing it through a system of cooling and filtration. So what happens if the filter itself is dirty? Mould spores, dust, and even skin particles can clog air conditioning filters in relatively short periods of time. That is especially true of periods during which air conditioners are used heavily, like summer. Once clogged, air conditioner filters can promote the growth of mould and bacteria. If unrectified, that mould and bacteria will then spread through the air. The result: poor indoor air quality, and associated health issues. That’s why it’s important to have your air conditioners expertly serviced frequently – especially in summer.

Poor indoor air quality is often associated with mould – here’s what you can do about it

On the topic of mould, let’s take a closer look at its impact on indoor air quality. Mould grows by spreading spores. If patches of mould are disturbed, even slightly, those spores can become airborne. Needless to say, once they’re airborne, mould spores are a respiratory hazard. They’re also invisible, and often hard to identify by smell. So how can you spot mould? They key is to find where it’s growing. Check in damp areas first – like bathrooms, or around air conditioning vents. You can tell mould patches by their dark colouration, and sometimes furry appearance. If you spot mould, it’s ideal to treat it with the help of professionals.

Older homes can have poor ventilation, which often affects indoor air quality

Ventilation is one of the keys to defeating poor air quality. But if you live in an old home, you may not have the best ventilation. Older homes often lack the smooth air flow and open plan of their more modern counterparts. A good air conditioning system is one way to address that. But make sure you get it serviced regularly!

Building history: if you’re concerned about poor indoor air quality, get it tested asap!

Finally, if you’re unable to locate the source of your poor indoor air quality, there may be an underlying problem. If that’s the case, check the history of your home. If it has been used to produce illegal substances in the past, residual chemicals could be a serious issue. Alternatively, it may have traces of lead paint or other such harmful and outdated substances. Some expert diagnosis is the key to finding these issues, but it’s well worth it!

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