As HVAC professionals, we talk a lot about indoor air quality. Considering that air quality impacts your overall health and well-being, it’s an important conversation to have!

The EPA estimates that indoor air is up to FIVE times more polluted than outdoor air. While it seems simple enough to just open a window and let fresh air inside, the Chicagoland climate is often anything but friendly.

During blistering hot summers and freezing winters, our windows are locked tight, keeping in the warm or cool air from our HVAC systems. As a result, our indoor air circulates through our ducts over and over again, collecting dust and contaminants along the way.

So what is polluting your indoor air? Here are the four main contaminants families can find in their household air:

Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco smoke is a huge air quality pollutant. Secondhand smoke contains 200 known poisons such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. It can linger in your air for a long time and directly harm those who breathe it in.

If you are a smoker, we recommend smoking outside and encouraging your guests to do the same. Keeping your home smoke-free is the easiest way to prevent indoor air pollutants.

Combustion Pollutants

Combustion pollutants can come from anything in your home that burns fuel. This includes stoves, ovens, water heaters, furnaces, and more.

By scheduling regular maintenance and tune-ups for this type of equipment, you can help keep your indoor air cleaner. At the very least, it’s important to change/clean the filters in your home as recommended–especially your furnace filter.

Asbestos

Usually found in the building materials of older homes, asbestos has been found to create small fibers that can release into the air. When these fibers are inhaled, they increase your risk of cancer and can scar your lung tissue. If you are concerned there is asbestos in your home, call a professional right away. A certified asbestos-removal company can safely remove this threat from your home.

Biological Contaminants

Biological contaminants are not only a pollutant but a byproduct of something alive in your home. Examples of biological contaminants include mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses, pet dander, and the droppings of rodents or cockroaches. When found in the air, all these particles and organisms greatly increase your risk of falling ill.

Despite all the many contaminants that can be found indoors, there are still ways to keep your air as clean and healthy as possible. From NADCA-certified duct cleaning services to APCO UV-C Germicidal lights, you can remove particulates and clean the air in your home.

At Four Seasons, we have an array of solutions to solve your indoor air quality problems. Schedule your free in-home estimate today to learn how our technicians can help you achieve your air quality goals.