Should You Use Indoor Air Quality Testing Services Or DIY Tests?
Did you know that your indoor air can be five times more polluted than the outside air? While more and more people are preoccupied with reducing their carbon footprint, they fail to address the O2 they breathe in the safety of their homes.
You can change this around. There are two valid ways to go about it – DIY tests and
indoor air quality testing services.
Join us today as we explore the indicators you should do something about your indoor air and evaluate whether professional testing is ultimately worth it.
Signs You Should Test Your Indoor Pollution Level
In most cases, signs of poor air quality are hard to pinpoint. Once they get to a concerning level, you’ll experience plenty of physical effects.
For instance, if you suddenly notice an increase in respiratory problems like allergies in your household, you should test the air quality. Similarly, more common occurrences of nausea, shortness of breath, frequent sinus congestion, and sneezing may point to the level of pollutants getting alarmingly high.
Once the air quality gets critical, your eyes, skin, and throat will become irritated, and you may even suffer from memory loss, dizziness, and mental health conditions like depression.
Methods Of DIY Testing
Though you won’t be able to test for absolutely all pollutants, using the following methods will help you check the air quality in your home on your own:
1. Using an Indoor Air Quality Monitor
An indoor air quality monitor is a device that measures your
indoor air quality. The best thing about it is that it constantly monitors the level of pollutants in the air and provides you with nifty reports.
While they may not be able to “catch” all the particles, most models can check for humidity, chemical pollutants, and particulate matter. More expensive versions even track carbon monoxide and formaldehyde levels.
The average price of this device is $100. Be mindful that you get what you pay for. Expensive models reach prices over $300, but they are also more precise and offer more features.
2. DIY Mold Tests
Due to its humidity, most areas of Florida are a breeding ground for mold. As bad luck would have it, mold spores develop easily, they’re tough to eliminate and can wreak havoc on your health.
DIY mold tests are available everywhere. They’re advertised as effective and easy to use, but the reality is that they’re not that accurate.
These types of tests are basically a petri dish that contains a substance that promotes mold growth. You have to leave this contraption out for a certain amount of time, allowing it to capture airborne particles. You later have to cap it and once you open it again after enough time passes, you can check your home’s mold status – if any mold has grown, you have a problem on your hands.
Seems straightforward, right?
Well, mold is already in the air, so you’re bound to get a positive. The main question is whether mold in your home is excessive or not. Unfortunately, no DIY test can provide you with that answer.
3. Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can be deadly in large quantities. It’s a byproduct of fuel combustion and appliances like burning stoves or gas dryers. Due to the dangers involved, we recommend purchasing a carbon monoxide detector whether you’re planning on scheduling an indoor air quality service at a later date or not.
While most air quality monitors can detect carbon monoxide, you may need multiple devices around your home to get an exact reading. Plus, a monitor won’t alarm you if carbon monoxide reaches critical levels.
Carbon monoxide alarms can cost as little as $10, so you can probably put one near each sleeping area for under $50.
Are Diy Methods As Reliable As Indoor Air Quality Testing Services
Mold tests are pretty much useless, but indoor air quality monitors and carbon monoxide detectors are a different story. They’re reliable, and investing in them can not only save your life but also allow you to consistently monitor the quality of your air. That way, you can address any issues before they impact your health.
There’s one thing to consider: you may need multiple air quality monitors to cover all the areas in your home.
On paper, if you have a large home, you’ll need to spend over $500. On top of that, there is a possibility that your monitor won’t be able to detect all the pollutants.
A more reasonable (and much more precise) option is enlisting professional indoor air quality testing services.
Regardless of why your air quality is poor, a qualified air quality specialist can perform the most reliable air test, which covers a wide range of pollutants, from mold to carbon monoxide. Furthermore, an indoor air quality service can also identify the source of the poor air quality and educate you on your remediation options.
Improve Your Air Quality With Mid-fla Heating & Air
You don’t need to bother contacting various companies because you can use
Mid-Fla Heating & Air as your one-stop for all your air quality concerns. As one of the leading HVAC and air quality specialists in Central Florida, we’re qualified to perform accurate testing in your home and determine whether everything checks out.
Due to our expertise in HVAC systems, we can also assist you in resolving various issues that could be ruining the quality of your indoor air. In addition to mold, the presence of most pollutants can be tied to dirty and inefficient air conditioners. Since we also employ technicians, we can thoroughly inspect and clean the HVAC system and perform a specialized duct cleaning service to eliminate any source of pollutants in your home.
We can also improve your air quality further by finding you the right dehumidifier or air purification system. As you’ll be working with a single company, you can save plenty of time, and more importantly, money.
Want to try our air quality testing services? Give us a call at
561-750-1625 or fill out
our contact form.
