It's getting colder outside, and as the weather changes and the days get shorter, lots of us are spending more time inside. Without fresh air, the air quality in your home is even more important. If your "allergies," especially headaches, persist past the end of the fall, the real cause might be your air quality. Here are some signs you need air quality testing.

There are a few key indications that your home's air quality might be poor.

Here are some of the easiest ways to tell if you have air quality issues in your home:

• Allergy symptoms without an obvious cause, or visible mold. Mold is a particularly common cause of poor air quality, and it can irritate your nose and throat in a similar way to other allergens. If you see visible mold in your home, it is a significant infestation that probably is already affecting your air quality.
• You have a headache. Headaches can be a sign of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Your heater turning on smells strange or gives you a headache. Another cause of headaches could be debris in your heating vents burning off and producing irritating fumes. Space heaters can be especially dangerous. With poor ventilation, space heaters can produce carbon monoxide.

Indoor air quality is more than just comfort—it directly affects your health. Some pollutants may be undetectable but still harmful:

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Found in cleaning products, paints, and furniture, VOCs can cause respiratory issues, dizziness, and headaches.
• Carbon Monoxide: This odorless, colorless gas can be deadly. It often comes from malfunctioning appliances or poor ventilation.
• Dust and Allergens: Accumulated dust and pet dander can exacerbate allergies and asthma, especially when your home is sealed tight during the winter months.

Even if you don’t notice obvious symptoms, breathing in polluted air over time can lead to long-term health issues. Regular air quality testing ensures you and your family are safe from these hidden threats.

An air quality test can pinpoint any problems with your air quality and help professionals guide you on the best way to deal with them.

When the temperature drops, it’s common to close windows and rely on heating systems, but this can trap pollutants indoors. Here are some tips to maintain good air quality:

• Change HVAC Filters Regularly: Replace air filters in your heating system every 1-3 months to keep pollutants from circulating.
• Ventilate When Possible: On milder days, open windows for a short time to let in fresh air. Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to reduce humidity and odors.
• Invest in an Air Purifier: A high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter can remove dust, allergens, and even some VOCs.
• Check for Leaks: Inspect your home for water leaks or areas prone to condensation, which can encourage mold growth.
• Test for Carbon Monoxide: Install carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms and ensure heating systems are serviced annually.

Proactive steps like these can go a long way in keeping your home healthy and comfortable during the colder months.

An air quality professional is the best way to get complete, accurate information on the air in your home.

• Air quality issues are hard or impossible to detect without specialized tools. Air quality professionals can use their tools to detect issues, even odorless or colorless gases like radon.
• Some air quality issues, including radon, can be life-threatening. You want to make sure you have the problem identified correctly the first time.

At BioClean, we can test your air quality and help you keep your home safe all winter long. Our results are sent to a third-party lab to make sure the results are accurate. Contact us today and let us help you put your mind at ease!