When you come home at the end of the day, you want to relax and unwind. But it’s hard to feel refreshed if the air in your home feels stuffy or stagnant. Stuffy air may be one of the first signals your home in Austin needs better airflow. If you suspect your home has poor ventilation, look out for these other signs and symptoms.
Evidence Your Home Has Poor Ventilation
Beyond stuffy air, your house will let you know when it’s not getting enough airflow. Watch out for these signs of poor ventilation in the house.
- Condensation buildup. Warm moist air is trapped, unable to flow out. as the moisture level rises, it begins to fall out of the air, clinging to the walls and windows, or sinking into the carpet. It can also sink into the wood, creating the perfect environment for rot.
- Mold growth. With the excessive moisture in the air and on the walls, soon you will notice spots of mold gathering. Because mold relies on moisture, managing humidity levels and improving ventilation will discourage mold growth.
- Strong odors. If smells are lingering for days, either the source of the smell is still there or it’s a sign of poor ventilation in the home. When the air doesn’t move, it can’t clear out the smell with fresh air. You may also notice strong musty smells develop in the house as mold tries to take root.
- Stale air. When there is no airflow, the air can become heavy and stale. Part of this is the low oxygen levels in the air, part is from heavy particle pollutants. Dust, pollen, and pet dander all add weight to the air, making it harder to breathe.
Related Content: What You Need to Know About HVAC Air Balancing
Poor Ventilation Causes Discomfort and Illness
Your home should be a comfortable, relaxing place. If being in your own home gives you a headache, there’s a problem. Many of the symptoms of poor airflow are common and could mean anything. That’s why you and your family could be experiencing these side effects of poor ventilation in the home without even realizing it.
- Unexplained fatigue. An effect of being in a space without proper ventilation for a prolonged period is feeling unreasonably tired. It doesn’t matter how long you sleep, you’re still tired. This is thanks to the low levels of oxygen in the air.
- Cough and stuffy nose. If you or your family appear to have the flu, but symptoms are strongest in the house, it may be because of poor ventilation. Exposure to heavy air pollutants can get down in your respiratory tract and appear with flu-like symptoms.
- Recurring headache. Headaches can be caused by several things—however, if the common denominator seems to be your home—ventilation may be the issue. Lack of oxygen can result in a headache.
- Growing moodiness. Did you know poor ventilation can affect your mood? When you take in less oxygen, your brain gets less serotonin—which is the brain chemical that regulates your mood. With less serotonin, you may find yourself feeling blue or irritable more often. Improving your ventilation and indoor air quality can help.