October 29, 2023

How To Address Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality

At Scott-Lee Heating Company, we help St. Louis residents keep their homes comfortable during every season. While our primary focus is heating and cooling, we also provide solutions to address indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns. The quality of your air has a direct impact on the quality of life in your home. If you experience any common symptoms of compromised IAQ, our team would be happy to provide services to make things more comfortable.

Symptoms Caused by Low Humidity

The level of humidity in your home has a strong effect on your overall comfort. When the air is too dry, it draws moisture from any available source. You may notice that wooden instruments like guitars and pianos go out of tune more quickly as dry air warps the wood. Wooden furniture is also susceptible to damage under these conditions. Since water makes up most of your body, low humidity produces several physical symptoms.

Dry Skin

Dry, itchy skin can be a chronic problem, especially in winter. This condition can also make it difficult to get comfortable when trying to fall asleep.

Itchy Eyes

Your eyes contain a great deal of moisture, so low humidity can cause them to feel dry and uncomfortable. You may notice that your eyes get fatigued faster when reading or using a computer screen.

Scratchy Throat

In dry homes, residents often wake up with dry, scratchy throats. While a drink of water will bring some relief, it is a sign that moisture has been leaving your body during the night.

A Professional Solution for Low Humidity

The Scott-Lee Heating Company team installs advanced humidifiers in homes with low humidity. These devices connect to your heating system and automatically add moisture to your air as it travels through the vents, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable climate.

Symptoms of High Humidity

Too much moisture is also a problem for your indoor environment. With high humidity levels, you may see condensation inside windows and doors. A moist home can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and dust mites. Additionally, you may experience several physical symptoms.

Trouble Sleeping

High humidity makes it difficult to get comfortable. The air feels heavy and clammy. Your body sweats easily, making it a challenge to find the right combination of sheets and blankets. These factors lead to poor sleeping conditions. If you have trouble getting motivated in the morning or feel fatigued during the day, it may be due to high humidity levels.

Mold-Related Symptoms

Mold and mildew love a warm, moist environment. Some people will have allergic reactions as mold spores spread in the air. They may experience:

• Runny nose
• Headaches
• Coughing
• Trouble breathing

Getting these symptoms under control means addressing your humidity problem.

Getting Control of High Humidity

For homes with high humidity issues, we recommend installing a whole-home dehumidifier. These devices connect to your heating and cooling system, drawing moisture out of the air before it enters your vents. Your home will stay comfortable even during a humid St. Louis summer.

Common Symptoms of Dust, Pollen, and Dander

Pet dander, outdoor dust, and pollen grains are common impurities in every home. You can limit the amount of these irritants in your atmosphere with some extra sweeping and vacuuming. However, preventing these air pollutants from getting inside can prove difficult. If you notice excessive dust on surfaces in your home within a few hours of cleaning, it is a sign that your home requires indoor air quality solutions. The following are physical symptoms of indoor air filled with dust, pollen, pet dander, and other air pollutants.

Allergy Symptoms

When outdoor allergens make it inside, sensitive people will have a physical reaction. They may experience long-lasting cold symptoms that do not improve with time. If coughing and runny noses dissipate outside the home, it is a sign of a high volume of allergens.

Asthma Attacks

Indoor allergens can be a critical issue for people with asthma. High levels can trigger an attack that requires medical intervention.

Removing Impurities from Your Indoor Air

At Scott-Lee Heating Company, we provide several solutions that remove allergens from your home. Our selection of air cleaners, scrubbers, and purifiers filter your air to capture large impurities like pollen particles and dander. Once we understand your air quality issues, we can recommend the right solution for your home.

Concerns About VOCs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are an unfortunate part of our modern world. Cleaning products, beauty products, paints, solvents, and plastics all release chemicals into your indoor air. In small amounts, none of these compounds are too harmful. However, their concentration can increase over time, affecting your air quality.

Addressing Concerns About VOCs

In high concentrations, VOCs can make your home an unpleasant place to live. People in affected homes often experience poor sleep and fatigue. They may also be subject to headaches and a general sense of feeling unwell.

Addressing VOCs in your air often comes down to adequate air exchange. Modern homes are built with a tighter construction than older buildings. This feature improves the efficiency of heating and cooling systems but slows the exchange of indoor and outdoor air.

Ventilation

You should always choose a room with adequate ventilation when you know you are working with VOCs. In the bathroom, using a ventilating fan will help draw cleaning and beauty product chemicals out of the area. Opening a window when working with adhesives, paints, or solvents will also lower the VOC concentration in your area.

Air Scrubbing Systems

We recommend air purifiers and scrubbing systems for homes struggling with high VOC concentrations. An air scrubber uses UV light and a catalyst to remove impurities as they travel through your heating and cooling system. This device does not just capture VOC molecules. It breaks their chemical bonds to render them harmless.

Energy Recovery Ventilators as a Whole-House Solution

Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are another tool we recommend for houses dealing with indoor air quality issues. An ERV is an addition to your HVAC system that creates an exchange of stale and fresh air. However, unlike opening a window, the ERV improves the temperature and humidity of the incoming air. This solution offers improved air quality while maintaining the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems.

A Partner for IAQ Solutions and More

Scott-Lee Heating Company is the company St. Louis can trust for residential and commercial indoor climate solutions. In addition to addressing IAQ issues, you can rely on our experienced team to install, repair, and maintain your heating and cooling equipment. We can also improve the performance of your HVAC system by reconfiguring your ductwork and implementing an advanced zoning system. If you are looking for a greener solution to your home climate, Scott-Lee Heating Company is at the edge of innovation with our geothermal contracting services. To learn more about how we can improve the comfort of your home or business, contact Scott-Lee Heating Company today.