Indoor Air Quality: What Causes Poor IAQ?

Studies have found that poor indoor air quality is one of the biggest health hazards in America today. This is a huge deal considering that we spend a great deal of our lives—around 90%— indoors, at home. Many things affect your home’s indoor air quality, and Renewal by Andersen® of New Jersey-New York Metro lists some of them in this post.

The causes of poor IAQ

Homes are no equipped with complex, automated systems that help keep internal air fresh. Most of the time, our windows are what serve as our regulators. That’s why busted windows call for a window replacement in Toms River right away.

Here are the causes of poor indoor air quality:

• Chemicals — The biggest culprits when it comes to poor IAQ are harmful chemicals that are rife around the home. These come from building materials, furnishings, and even different sprays that we use. These can release many volatile organic compounds (called VOCs) that can be harmful to your health.
• Mold — These result from unwanted moisture build up commonly found when your windows sport cracks or breaks. Mold growth is a source of harmful biological VOCs that have an even stronger effect on health. Since getting rid of mold spores is tough, it’s a better option to deal with the source of the mold growth: moisture from seal-breaks.
• Poor Ventilation—Many times, air gets trapped in our homes for a long time. This allows many of the above-mentioned particles and chemicals time to settle and evenly spread. Poor ventilation is often caused by older windows.

If you suspect any of these are present in your home, then there’s a strong chance that your IAQ is taking quite a pounding. Even an investment is a bow and bay window in Jackson, New Jersey, can improve your IAQ significantly.

The importance of good windows

Renewal by Andersen addresses the question of IAQ in two ways. First, we make sure that our products are made from reclaimed and environmentally friendly materials that minimize—if not completely eliminate—the release of VOCs. We also make sure that our process of installation comes with the greatest care to do away with any leaks. We can assure you that your home will have a fresh start with its indoor air quality.

Many of our windows are perfectly designed to aid in ventilation—like casement windows and the aforementioned bay and bow windows. Give Renewal by Andersen of New Jersey-New York Metro a call today, and we’ll be glad to help you work out your options.