4 Health Benefits of Paying Attention to Your Home Comfort
A comfortable home offers numerous benefits, but you might not realize that it can also protect your health. If you pay attention to any red flags that reduce your home comfort, you can fix them and prevent any negative side effects that might cause your family distress.
Find the Source of Drafts
A drafty house often has air leaks that allow warm air to escape in the winter and enter in the summer. While air alone can’t make you sick, leaks can also allow irritants and pathogens to enter your home without your knowledge. If anyone in your family suffers from asthma or allergies, these contaminants could put their respiratory systems at risk.
Take note of places in your home where you feel drafts, then let your HVAC technician know about them. An energy audit might help you find the draft’s source, so you can plug the air leak and enjoy more home comfort. Alternatively, if you know that your doors or windows don’t sit flush in their frames, use caulk or weather-stripping to seal them more tightly.
Avoid Foul Odors in the Home
Nobody wants to endure unpleasant odors in his or her home. Foul smells can come from myriad sources, including mold, mildew, dirt, and more. When you smell something off, try to find its source.
For instance, if your house smells like rotten eggs during the winter, you might want to call your HVAC professional to inspect your furnace. You might have a gas leak that could put your home and family in danger. In addition to improving your home comfort, addressing foul odors can also keep you safe.
Add Ventilation to Improve IAQ
Does your house sometimes feel stuffy? Does the air smell stale? Poor ventilation can cause both of these results, and many homes don’t have enough ventilation, especially in the “wet areas,” such as kitchens and bathrooms. A lack of ventilation traps stale air in the home and prevents adequate circulation.
Consider adding extra ventilation to your home. An expert can install extractor fans, for example, in the bathrooms. Run the fans when you take a shower or bath, so the ventilator can bring fresh air into the house and release the humid air outside.
Discover Problems With Your HVAC System
Maybe you can’t get comfortable no matter the temperature at which you program your thermostat. Perhaps some areas of your home feel cooler than others. If you live in an older home, you might need a new HVAC system or you might just need a quick repair. You won’t know unless you call a professional.
Repairing and replacing parts of your HVAC system might not prove as expensive as you think. For instance, problems with temperature settings might trace back to the thermostat instead of the furnace or air conditioner. The sooner you get your HVAC system inspected, the sooner your home will feel comfortable.
Don’t settle for anything less than total home comfort. If you’re concerned, calling professionals can help resolve the problem quickly and affordably.