If your family is constantly under the weather, poor indoor air quality could be the reason. An HVAC technician should routinely clean, disinfect, and tune up heating and cooling equipment. Otherwise, dust, bacteria, and additional particles could filter into the air. Beyond health issues, here are some signs that your indoor air quality is suffering. 

How to Tell if You Have Poor Indoor Air Quality

1. High Humidity

High humidity doesn’t only leave interiors muggy. Excessive moisture in the air can cause mold and mildew growth on surfaces. Breathing in the spores can irritate airways and cause congestion. Leaving the thermostat fan set to “On” can cause humidity buildup, as the AC won’t be able to cool the air and dehumidify it.

Set the fan to “Auto” instead. It will shut off between cooling cycles instead of continuously running. This way, moisture that collects on the cooling coils can drain outside rather than being blown back into your home. 

2. Lingering Odors

If odors from the kitchen hang in the air after cooking or you notice other lingering smells in certain areas, an HVAC technician should check the ventilation system. Ideally, there should be more air filtered out of a room than supplied.

This creates negative air pressure. The ventilation system can then push the smells in specific directions so that they don’t build up in areas.

3. Uneven Heating & Cooling

If some rooms are hotter or colder than others, a drop in indoor air quality could follow. An HVAC technician might need to change the air filter.

When the screen is clogged, weak airflow circulates through the system and into living spaces. The screen will become too clogged to trap particles, which means the contaminants will be forced back into the interior. 

To determine whether heating and cooling equipment is the reason for poor indoor air quality, contact the HVAC technicians at Fayette Heating & Air Conditioning in Uniontown, PA. The bonded, insured, and licensed furnace and air conditioning contractors have been providing repair, maintenance, and installation services throughout Fayette County since 1972. Their team will outfit your home with a duct-free HVAC system to keep contaminants out of the air. Learn more about equipment upgrades online, or call (724) 439-2323 for a service appointment.