Why You Should Do a Home Air Quality Test

Your home is your safe haven—a place where you can relax, put your feet up and enjoy time with family. Unfortunately, it can also harbour hidden threats in the air you breathe.

Home air quality testPhoto: Shutterstock

Here are four reasons you should do a home air quality test:

Find Allergy and Asthma Triggers

A home air quality test will determine if your home’s air has mould and mildew, which can cause breathing issues, along with skin irritation. The test can also tell you the level of dust and dander, which can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

Discover Carbon Monoxide Levels

If your home is sealed up so tight there isn’t enough intake air for natural-gas powered appliances, you could be inhaling carbon monoxide without even knowing it. The odourless gas can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness and even death. A home air quality test will tell you if the level in your home is too high. Find out exactly how dangerous these home safety hazards are.

Learn Radon and Asbestos Levels

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can be in your home without you knowing it’s there. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, according to the EPA. (Learn how to spot the telltale signs of lung cancer.)

Asbestos, a group of naturally occurring minerals that are resistant to heat and corrosion, is recognized as a health hazard and its use is now regulated by government agencies. When people inhale or ingest microscopic asbestos fibres, it can lead to serious health problems.

Lower Energy Costs

A home air quality test can also bring to light problems with your HVAC system or if you have blocked air vents. By discovering these issues and fixing them, you’ll improve your home’s energy efficiency and in turn, lower your energy bill.

You can do a home air quality test yourself. Kits are available for about $300 on Amazon. You can also hire a professional to do a home air quality test. The cost is generally around $500, depending on the size of your home and the type of analysis you’re looking for.

Find out more ways your home could be making you sick.

The Family Handyman
Originally Published on The Family Handyman