Because we spend most of the day inside our homes, indoor air quality (IAQ) is an ongoing concern. Whether awake or asleep, we’re inhaling the contents of household air. Today’s homes are more tightly sealed to conserve energy and reduce heating and cooling costs. A side effect of an airtight home, however, is the fact that airborne irritants and pollutants are more likely to accumulate in the enclosed environment.
Keeping Track of IAQ
The more you know about the status of your indoor air quality, the more empowered you are to take meaningful steps to keep your home environment healthy. In addition to professional testing, indoor air quality sensors and detectors are now available at the consumer level. These units can continuously monitor levels of common pollutants, as well as other conditions that may affect the home’s inhabitants.
Some of the air-quality factors that technology can help identify include:
- Particulate matter (PM). This is the term for all the stuff that floats around inside your home, whether it’s seen or unseen. It includes dust, lint, soot, smoke, pet dander, and other particles that can irritate and trigger allergic reactions.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Chemical vapors emitted by household contents such as carpeting, furniture, paint, glues, and other toxic sources can accumulate to levels that cause physical symptoms due to long-term exposure.
- Humidity and temperature. This common information is important to determine whether the indoor environment may trigger mildew, mold growth, and toxic airborne spores that result from mold.
- Carbon monoxide (CO). This colorless, odorless gas may be generated by gas-fired appliances or a furnace. CO can cause rapid death when inhaled. In many locales, home CO monitors are required by law.
- Radon. It’s a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps out of the Earth and gradually accumulates inside structures in certain geographic areas. Long-term exposure to radon has been linked to lung cancer.
Keeping track of a household’s environment helps keep its inhabitants healthy and comfortable. For more information, contact the indoor air quality professionals at Paitson Bros., your local source for trusted advice since 1922.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922