Since the COVID pandemic, indoor air quality has been at the forefront of many homeowners’ and business owners’ minds. Even before quarantine, Americans spent most of their time indoors, whether at home, work, car, stores, etc. 

Indoor air quality can affect us in a number of ways, good and bad. When we breathe polluted air, it can cause respiratory-related problems that can be harmful to our health. So how do we know our indoor air quality measurements? The answer is to test it. 

To test air quality, you can purchase one of the many air quality monitors available online or schedule an air quality assessment with the experts at Lyons Air and Heat. When you’re curious about how clean your air is, leave it up to the Rockwall air quality technicians. Following your assessment, our technicians will be able to provide recommendations on how to improve your air. No matter what affects your air, we have the best technology and services available. 

To schedule your air quality assessment or any other HVAC service, contact Lyons Air and Heat today by calling (214) 432-2859.

What is IAQ?

When we think about air quality, we often think about air pollution and outdoor air quality, forgetting entirely about the quality of the air we breathe indoors. Not only should we be concerned with our air outdoors, but also the air inside. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that indoor air pollution can be five times more harmful to your health than outdoor air pollution, whether you live in a big city or a rural area. 

IAQ, or indoor air quality, describes how the air inside your home or business can affect your health and comfort. OSHA explains that humidity, temperatures, poor ventilation, mold exposure, and harsh chemicals can affect indoor air quality. 

While our HVAC systems work to ventilate and provide clean air into our homes, the air ducts can become clogged with dirt, dust, and other particles over time. If you believe your air quality could improve, contact Lyons Air and Heat to schedule air quality measurements today.  

How is Indoor Air Quality Measured?

Indoor air quality can be measured in several ways. Homeowners can purchase indoor air quality monitors that check for substances like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and radon contributing to indoor air pollution. Another way to measure air quality is with a VOC sensor that checks the levels of these compounds in the air. This sensor also can detect formaldehyde, a chemical found in new carpets that can be harmful to breathe in. 

While an indoor air quality monitor can help check for toxic substances, we recommend scheduling an air improvement service appointment with one of our Rockwall air quality technicians. 

How HVAC Professionals Measure IAQ

If you suspect your family suffers from poor air quality, the Lyons Air and Heat air quality specialists are ready to help. While many air quality monitors are available for purchase online, our technicians have experience testing indoor air quality and access to professional equipment. 

During your air quality assessment, your air quality technician will use electronic meters that check for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dirt, dust, pet dander, pollen, carbon monoxide, radon, and more. The equipment we use at Lyons Air and Heat will be able to find pollutants and chemicals that the average indoor air quality monitor can’t. 

How Homeowners Can Measure IAQ

Many air quality monitors are available online to check for various contaminants that can affect your air quality. Depending on the amount of money you want to spend, many options are available, ranging from basic air quality monitors starting at $50 to the more professional type monitors that are over $1,000. In addition to air quality monitors, you can purchase individual tests for mold, carbon monoxide, and radon.   

Installing these monitors in your home can help determine if your family is struggling with poor indoor air quality. If you notice that your indoor air quality isn’t where it should be, contact the Rockwall air quality experts at Lyons Air and Heat to schedule an air quality assessment. 

Homeowners can also make small changes to improve their indoor air quality, like 

• Running ceiling fans,
• Dust often,
• Vacuum more frequently,
• Check your vents and air ducts,
• Change your air filters regularly,
• Open windows (if the weather allows), and
• Add indoor plants.

The Importance of Monitoring Indoor Air Quality

It’s important to measure air quality in your home since many indoor air pollutants can be harmful to your family’s health. As people are exposed to poor indoor air quality, they can suffer from the following health conditions:

• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Nausea
• Congestion
• Throat irritation
• Dizziness

Exposure to poor air quality can have more adverse effects on children who are very young, older adults, and those with pre-existing health conditions like asthma and respiratory illnesses. If you notice that your family suffers from the above health conditions and they seem to subside when you’re not home, contact the Rockwall air quality experts today. 

Common Threats to Indoor Air Quality

Threats to indoor air quality are all around us, but becoming aware of those threats can help lower the risks associated with breathing these substances in and improve indoor air quality. The various pollutants and substances affecting your air quality can be divided into indoor and outdoor sources. Indoor sources include:

• Combustion sources like tobacco, coal and wood heating appliances, cooking appliances, and fireplaces can release dangerous combustion byproducts, like carbon monoxide and particulate matter, into the air. 
• Paints, cleaning products, pesticides, and other products can release harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into our indoor air. 
• Building materials like asbestos and gases from pressed wood products can negatively affect indoor air quality. 
• Other substances that occur indoors and are natural in origin are radon, pet dander, and mold. 

Outdoor substances that can affect indoor air quality are harmful substances that find their way into our homes through damaged HVAC systems, windows, doors, or cracks in the building’s structure. These substances include smoke from fires, volatile organic compounds in the ground, and more. 

How To Fight Poor Indoor Air Quality

At Lyons Air and Heat, we offer a variety of indoor air quality solutions to help your family breathe easier. Once your technician has conducted the indoor air quality testing, we will determine the source of your poor indoor air quality. Below are the indoor air quality services and devices we offer at Lyons Air and Heat:

• Air Scrubber: This high-tech device uses a filtration system that removes harmful particles from the air. Many air scrubbers use ultraviolet light that creates negative ions that attach to pollen, bacteria, and other allergens, weighing them down so they get trapped in the filter within your HVAC system. At Lyons Air and Heat, our technicians use the Air Scrubber by Aerus, which has been proven to remove up to 99% of surface contaminants. 
• Air Purification: At Lyons Air and Heat, our air purification equipment works with your pre-existing HVAC system to deliver clean, fresh air into your home. Air purifiers work similarly to air scrubbers, using a polarization process to kill contaminants in your air ducts. 
• Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers: Homes that either have too much humidity or not enough humidity can risk poor indoor air quality. Too much moisture in the air can lead to mold and mildew growth that can be dangerous to your health. On the other hand, insufficient moisture leads to cold, dry air that brings different air quality problems. Our air quality experts will determine which system would improve your air quality the most. 

Sign Up for Our Cool Club Today!

In addition to the above air quality services and devices, at Lyons Air and Heat, we also offer our customers access to our annual HVAC maintenance program, the Cool Club. Members receive HVAC maintenance checks twice a year to ensure their equipment is prepared for the upcoming seasons. During these appointments, your HVAC tech will check your air conditioning unit in the spring to make sure it’s ready for the summer. In the fall, your technician will check your heater to ensure it’s prepared for the cooler Texas temps. 

By having your HVAC system checked regularly, you can improve your air quality. If your HVAC technician finds anything that could negatively affect your air quality, they’ll make the proper recommendations. Whether you need an air duct replacement, whole-home humidifier, or other air quality service, you can count on Lyons Air and Heat.      

Trust Lyons Air & Heat For Your Rockwall Indoor Air Quality Testing

If you’re ready to breathe cleaner air, contact the air quality technicians at Lyons Air and Heat today. The Rockwall heating and cooling experts also provide other HVAC services for both residential and commercial properties, like air conditioning repairs, heater installations, and more. Call Lyons Air and Heat at (214) 432-2859 today to schedule your air quality assessment or HVAC service.