If you’re questioning whether your Marshfield residence has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.
We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re in a building up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which may create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most ordinary causes of bad IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we recommend chatting with a expert like House of Heating Incorporated about which solutions are best for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals leaked by regular household items.
They’re found in paint and stains as well as:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes accumulate inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside your home.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Unlatching a window can help odors disappear faster.
Air purification systems can also improve your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling system to enhance indoor air. When hunting for a model, ensure it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets moved by your residence’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.
This unit hooks to your comfort equipment to deliver strong filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Newer homes are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more info on which solution is best for your home.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s critical your house’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.
Our experts suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC equipment.
Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers balanced humidity across your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It produces an extreme health risk. In low levels, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in heavy concentrations.
We suggest annual furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is operating like it should. This service allows our pros to discover problems before they begin, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on every floor by bedrooms and living areas.
Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the House of Heating Incorporated Specialists
Informed that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 715-384-3163 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you find the ideal equipment for your family and budget.