If you’re questioning whether your Litchfield Park residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly 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 houses may be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which may result in long-term health problems.
Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most ordinary causes of bad IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we advise chatting with a expert like Cooler Tymes LLC about which products are ideal for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by everyday 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 collect in your home, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can 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 greater than the air outdoors.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help odors disappear more quickly.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This system collaborates with your heating and cooling system to improve indoor air. When looking for a model, check that it’s specifically created to wipe out 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 home’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more routinely and install a better air filter, an air filtration system might be a better solution.
This solution connects with your HVAC equipment to deliver mighty filtration. Some models offer hospital-grade filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
New houses are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stale odors can stay around for an extended amount of time because your house is drawing in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all year round isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell fresher.
An air purification system is installed in your HVAC system to neutralize odors before they get released again. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out dangerous VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your loved ones healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which kind is ideal for your house.
Uneven Humidity
It’s essential your house’s humidity keeps steady. Air that has too much moisture can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.
Our pros suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours even, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling equipment.
Instead of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even humidity throughout your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is clear gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of incomplete combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It poses a serious health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be fatal in large amounts.
We advise annual furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is running like it should. This service allows our specialists to discover issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on each floor by bedrooms and living spaces.
Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Cooler Tymes LLC Pros
Informed that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC pros a call at 623-208-6444 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the best solution for your needs and budget.