January 30, 2019
Your home should be a safe place — a place where you can escape from the danger and the noise of the outside world. When the California air is at its worst, and wildfire smoke is suffocating the skies, it makes sense that any homeowner would want to retreat to the safety of their home. But could your poorly ventilated home actually be making the air you breathe worse, in turn making you and your family sick?
The expert home performance team at Hassler has been testing and improving the indoor air quality of homes in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Marin Counties, and know a thing or two about air purification and how your home could be the cause of your chronic symptoms.
Understanding Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
The most common misconception that homeowners cling to when it comes to the quality of the air they breathe is that outdoor air is more contaminated than indoor air. With all the dust, pollution, pollen and other allergens living outdoors, it is an understandable misconception. But indoor air is actually regularly rated at 2 to 5 times more contaminated! Why? Because the contaminants in your home have nowhere else to go and end up recirculating your air and plummeting your IAQ.
Harmful chemicals in the air outside your home have the entire atmosphere to roam around in, but if they get trapped in your home without an escape plan, they will continue to aggravate any allergy symptoms or cause other chronic health issues over and over. Each home is full of harmful chemicals — like metals, woods and cleaning products — that will have a negative effect on your IAQ unless they are properly ventilated, and a poorly maintained heating and cooling system will only make it worse.
The Symptoms of Poor IAQ
You may be suffering from a home that is making you sick and not even be aware of it. Seasonal allergies and viral infections often become the scapegoat when someone isn’t feeling well, but if you notice that the following symptoms decrease when you leave for work in the morning and increase when you get back home, you could be in need of a healthy home solution. Symptoms to look out for include:
Sinus issues (post nasal drip, congestion)
Frequent headaches (even when the kids are gone or quiet!)
Dry eyes, skin, nose & throat
Skin irritation
Fatigue
Dizziness & nausea
Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? Here’s what you can do about it with the help of the IAQ specialists at Hassler.
Solving Your IAQ Problems with Hassler
Making the air in your home healthier involves two basic steps, which can take a few different forms depending on each individual home: 1) preventing additional pollutants, allergens, and other harmful contaminants from entering your home, and 2) filtering out and giving those harmful particles that already exist inside your home a path back outside. This can be done using a number of services that Hassler provides.
Home Ventilation and Purification
These healthy home systems actively circulate the air in your home and remove the bacteria and other contaminants from the air. This includes air purifiers as well as home recovery ventilators — which can also help keep your home feeling cooler in the summer months!
Air Sealing & Vapor Barriers
These services are geared toward preventing any unwanted infiltration from your crawlspace or basement to your attic. Air sealing involves closing up any holes or gaps in the construction of your home, and installing a vapor barrier involves laying down an airtight and watertight plastic barrier in the crawlspace or basement.
Heating and Cooling Maintenance
Once your home is sealed properly, a thorough check of your furnace, air conditioner, and the associated ductwork are required to ensure that there are no hidden leaks, mold growth, or dust buildup that are ruining your IAQ.
Breathe Easier, Breathe Healthier with Hassler
Are you concerned about the air quality in your home? If your home has you feeling tired and worn down, it’s time to call in the experts. Experience the Hassler Difference and trust the healthy home experts with your Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin County home.
