Most of us crammed our lifestyles into cramped spaces at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s taken a toll. Achy, stiff joints are one of the byproducts of repurposing our couches for office chairs and kitchen counters for desks. In this article from The Atlantic, Amanda Mull describes the mental, emotional, and physical toll that the pandemic has literally and figuratively taken on our bodies. The importance of our home’s indoor air was something we did not think about or consider prior to the pandemic.

What’s In My Home’s Indoor Air

There is one part of our homes that we have been forced to confront during the pandemic that has always been there and it might be a blessing in disguise.  Indoor Air Quality is now top of mind for homeowners. 

Volatile Organic Compounds

The EPA estimates that the air inside our homes is up to five times more polluted than the air outdoors. One of the biggest contributors to that is volatile organic compounds. These compounds emanate from paints, candles, disinfectants, cooking, and natural oil diffusers. Most new homes are tightly built making them energy efficient, but they prevent fresh air from coming into the home that can dilute the buildup of toxic chemicals. These chemicals can make us sick or lethargic. 

Allergens

Allergens also benefit from these tightly built homes too. As mentioned in a previous article, the pet industry received a boom as we sought companionship during these isolating times. Unfortunately, there are downsides to pet ownership too. Pets shed and are odorous even if your pet is hypoallergenic. Other outdoor allergens like pollen can be brought in by our clothes or shoes when we come in from the outside.
All of this means that we are continually breathing in these trapped allergens inside our home’s indoor air resulting in watery eyes, scratchy throats, coughing, sneezing, and fatigue.

Dry Winter Air

This winter has brought another unwanted roommate into our already cramped homes—dry air. Your home’s heating system works by heating the air inside your home subsequently removing part of the air’s moisture. Dry indoor air results in dried out nasal membranes and scratchy throats, and makes us more susceptible to airborne viruses like COVID-19. We recommend keeping your home’s relative humidity between 40-60 percent as directed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). 

Raise a Happy, Healthy Home

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Make Your Home’s Air Important with The AprilAire Healthy Air System^®

To remedy your home’s Indoor Air Quality issues, AprilAire offers several whole-home products to remove airborne impurities. You can even bundle your whole-home solutions to form the AprilAire Healthy Air System^®, which combines fresh air ventilation, air filtration, and humidity control for effective virus protection and addresses your other indoor air issues.

The AprilAire Healthy Air System®

Get an all-in-one, whole-house system that offers year-round fresh air ventilation, air purification, humidity control, and more

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Maintaining Healthy Air can help you save energy, protect your home, and make you feel better. 

To get started, contact a local Healthy Air Pro today.

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