Maintaining your indoor air quality (IAQ) is a never-ending fight against countless pollutants that invade your living space. Many people spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is often 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. In some cases, it’s more than 100 times more polluted. To combat these pollutants effectively, shop our products today from our online store.
With these stats in mind, it’s easy to see why it’s so important to improve your IAQ. Deljo helps clients throughout Chicago with indoor air quality services every day. But before we discuss solutions, let’s take a look at some of the ways that poor air quality can affect your health.
The Risks of Poor Indoor Air Quality
Every day, you breathe in roughly enough air to fill a swimming pool. And when the air you breathe is filled with pollutants, your lungs will be, too. The EPA ranks indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental risks to public health. Symptoms of poor indoor air quality include:
Short-Term Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality
The immediate effects of poor indoor air quality can range from mild discomfort to serious health concerns. Exposure to airborne pollutants such as dust, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
Those with respiratory issues may experience shortness of breath, wheezing, or worsened asthma. Additionally, allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites can trigger sneezing, itchy eyes, and skin irritation. Sometimes, symptoms are mistaken for a cold and fatigue.
Long-Term Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality
The short-term effects of low-quality air exposure can be irritating. Long-term exposure to poor indoor air quality poses more serious health risks. Repeated exposure to airborne toxins can lead to chronic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and even an increased risk of cancer.
Neurological health may also be affected. Studies link poor air quality to cognitive decline, memory issues, and mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Long-term exposure can also result in pregnancy complications such as low birth weight and developmental concerns in infants.
Who Is Most Affected by Poor Indoor Air Quality?
While air quality affects everyone, some individuals are far more vulnerable to its dangers. More than 15 million Americans with asthma, including 1 in 13 school-age children, are at heightened risk. Children, in general, are especially susceptible to airborne pollutants. This is because their lungs are still developing.
Additionally, those with preexisting respiratory or heart conditions may experience worse symptoms due to poor indoor air quality. In environments where air quality is consistently poor, these vulnerable groups face a greater likelihood of serious health complications.
Indoor Air Quality Testing in Chicago
Before investing in an air purification or humidity control system, it’s essential to understand the specific air quality issues in your home.
Indoor air quality testing identifies pollutants such as allergens, mold spores, VOCs, and airborne bacteria. It also provides comprehensive reports on air composition, humidity levels, and contamination sources.
After uncovering your home’s air quality challenges, we will recommend products and services to improve and maintain your indoor air quality. We also offer commercial indoor air quality testing services in Chicago.
Indoor Air Quality Systems
Carrier Infinity Air Purifier GAPA
One way to improve the quality of indoor air is through the use of an electronic air cleaner. The award-winning Carrier Infinity Air Purifier is one of the most effective solutions on the market.
Using Captures & Kills® technology, it effectively traps up to 95% of pathogens as small as 0.30 microns. Once captured, these pollutants are exposed to an electrical charge that neutralizes them. This prevents them from recirculating through your home and improving overall air quality.
REME HALO® Whole Home In-Duct Air Purifier
The REME HALO® air purifier is another top-tier solution for indoor air quality. Traditional passive air purifiers require pollutants to pass through a filter. The REME HALO® takes a more proactive approach by actively purifying the air throughout your home.
This in-duct system utilizes low-level hydrogen peroxide to actively cleanse the air, enhancing purification efficiency beyond traditional filters. This approach is highly effective at eliminating up to 99% of bacteria, mold, and viruses. It also reduces airborne allergens and neutralizes odors caused by cooking, pets, or smoke. REME HALO® doesn’t just clean the air. It also transforms the entire indoor environment into a fresher, healthier space.
HEPA Air Filters
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are the gold standard for trapping airborne particles. They are capable of capturing 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and other airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns, making them ideal for allergy sufferers.
Ultra Violet (UV) Light Air Sanitizers
UV lights use powerful ultraviolet energy to kill bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. Often installed near the AC coil, they prevent microbial growth within the system and sanitize the air as it passes through.
Whole-Home Humidifiers
While high humidity is a problem in the summer, Chicago winters often bring the opposite issue: excessively dry air. Dry indoor air can aggravate respiratory issues, cause dry skin and static electricity, and even damage wood furniture and flooring. We offer whole-home humidifiers that work with your heating system to introduce moisture back into your home’s air. Maintaining balanced humidity levels year-round is essential for both your comfort and your health.
Whole-Home Dehumidifiers
Controlling indoor humidity is just as important as removing airborne pollutants. High humidity levels can lead to mold growth, dust mites, and other allergens. A whole-home dehumidifier integrates with your existing HVAC system to maintain ideal humidity levels throughout your home. This protects your indoor air quality and your property.
AC Coil Maintenance for Pure Air
Your air conditioner’s evaporator coil is cool and damp, making it a potential breeding ground for mold and bacteria if not properly maintained. Contaminants on the coil can be blown into your living space every time the AC turns on. We offer specialized services to keep this component clean:
AC Coil Cleaning
We physically remove the buildup of dirt and grime from the coil, ensuring efficient heat transfer and removing the debris that acts as food for mold.
AC Coil Sanitization
After cleaning, we can treat the coil with antimicrobial sanitizers to eliminate any remaining bacteria or mold spores and inhibit future growth, ensuring the air entering your home remains fresh and clean.
Take Control of Your Indoor Air Quality Today!
Poor indoor air quality can have both short-term and long-term effects on your health and home. Investing in advanced air purification and humidity control solutions can make a significant difference. Call us today at (773) 829-4295 or request a quote online. Learn more about improving your indoor air quality in Chicago!
