If you’re uncertain whether your Greensburg house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.
We are indoors a lot. 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 houses can be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which may lead to long-term health problems.
Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most frequent sources of inferior IAQ, the problems they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we recommend chatting with a expert like Wallpe Heating & Cooling about which products are ideal for your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from everyday household things.
They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these chemicals accumulate in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help odors dissipate more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This unit collaborates with your heating and cooling system to enhance indoor air. When hunting for a model, make sure 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 moved by your home’s heating and cooling equipment. While you can vacuum more frequently and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.
This solution connects with your HVAC unit to deliver strong filtration. Some kinds provide hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Newer homes are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stay around for an extended amount of time since your home is drawing in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our techs for more details on which solution is right for your residence.
Uneven Humidity
It’s critical your house’s humidity keeps balanced. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.
Our techs recommend 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think about installing a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.
Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this product gives consistent humidity around your residence.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is clear gas you can’t smell. It occurs when there’s incomplete combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It causes an extreme health risk. In small concentrations, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be fatal in large levels.
We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is running properly. This job allows our pros to spot problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms need to be on each floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.
Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Wallpe Heating & Cooling Specialists
Aware that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 812-663-7252 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you find the best option for your family and budget.