If you’re questioning whether your Reinholds residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.
We spend a lot of time inside. As a matter of fact, 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 might result in long-term health problems.
Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most common sources of poor IAQ, the issues they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we advise consulting with a specialist like County Line Mechanical LLC about which options are best for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by everyday household things.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these chemicals collect indoors, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside.
Always use the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help vapors disappear faster.
Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment works with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When hunting for a system, check that it’s specifically created to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets redistributed by your residence’s HVAC equipment. While you can vacuum more frequently and get a better air filter, an air filtration system could be a better fit.
This unit hooks to your comfort system to deliver strong filtration. Some types offer hospital-quality filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
New homes are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Stale odors can stick around for a greater amount of time because your home is drawing in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out damaging VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our technicians for more info on which kind is right for your house.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s important your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.
Our professionals recommend 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.
Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even humidity around your residence.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of incomplete combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It causes a serious health risk. In little amounts, it can cause flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in big levels.
We suggest annual furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is operating smoothly. This service allows our pros to pinpoint issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor near bedrooms and living spaces.
Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with the County Line Mechanical LLC Professionals
Know that your home has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at 717-216-0846 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you choose the right option for your needs and budget.