If you’re questioning whether your Marshfield house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, we’re inside up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside houses could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which could create long-term health issues.

Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common sources of bad IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we advise talking with a expert like House of Heating Incorporated about which solutions are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from everyday household items.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

  • Furniture
  • Carpet
  • Building materials
  • Cleaning products
  • Cosmetics
  • Air fresheners
  • Candles

When these vapors accumulate inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside your home.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help vapors dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When looking for one, ensure it’s specifically made to eradicate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets moved by your house’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide strong filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

New houses are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to wipe out harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your loved ones healthy by wiping out most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more information on which solution is ideal for your home.

Uneven Humidity

It’s critical your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.

Our technicians suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours even, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.

In place of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers consistent humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It causes an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be fatal in large concentrations.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is operating like it should. This job allows our technicians to spot issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on every floor by bedrooms and living areas.

Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the House of Heating Incorporated Pros

Informed that your house has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 715-384-3163 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you find the best solution for your home and budget.