If you’re questioning whether your Branchville home has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.
We spend a lot of time inside. 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 homes could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which could lead to long-term health issues.
Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most common causes of bad IAQ, the issues they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we advise chatting with a professional like Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. about which products are best for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from regular household things.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these vapors build up indoors, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times worse than the air outdoors.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help fumes disappear more quickly.
Air purification systems can also better your air. This system collaborates with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When hunting for one, check that it’s specifically designed to eliminate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets redistributed by your residence’s heating and cooling system. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better solution.
This equipment hooks to your comfort unit to provide strong filtration. Some models provide hospital-grade filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
New residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stay around longer because your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell fresher.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they get released again. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to break down dangerous 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 musty indoor air and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our techs for more details on which kind is best for your residence.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s critical your house’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.
Our pros suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours in balance, consider buying a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.
In place of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment provides consistent humidity around your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It presents an extreme health risk. In small amounts, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be fatal in heavy concentrations.
We advise yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is working like it should. This work allows our pros to pinpoint issues before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on every floor by bedrooms and living areas.
Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. Specialists
Informed that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 862-345-6896 or contact us online today. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you locate the right equipment for your needs and budget.