If you’re unsure whether your Litchfield Park house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We are indoors a lot. In reality, we’re indoors up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside homes could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which can create long-term health problems.
Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most common origins of inferior IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we advise chatting with a expert like Cooler Tymes LLC about which solutions are ideal for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from common household products.
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 may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help chemicals dissipate faster.
Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to clean indoor air. When seeking a system, ensure it’s specifically created to eliminate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets recirculated by your house’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.
This unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to deliver strong filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
New homes are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time as your home is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.
An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more information on which solution is ideal for your residence.
Uneven Humidity
It’s critical your residence’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory symptoms.
Our techs suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours even, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.
Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers consistent humidity across your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It presents a severe health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in large amounts.
We suggest annual furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is operating smoothly. This work allows our professionals to discover troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms must be on all floors near bedrooms and living rooms.
Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with the Cooler Tymes LLC Specialists
Aware that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is ideal for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 623-208-6444 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the best equipment for your needs and budget.