If you’re uncertain whether your Dresden home has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.
We spend a lot of time inside. As a matter of fact, we’re indoors up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside houses could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which can lead to long-term health concerns.
Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most ordinary origins of bad IAQ, the troubles they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we recommend talking with a pro like McFadden Heating & Cooling about which options are best for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by everyday household products.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these chemicals collect inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can 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 pollutants can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.
Always use the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help chemicals dissipate more quickly.
Air purification systems can also better your air. This system collaborates with your heating and cooling equipment to freshen indoor air. When hunting for one, make sure it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets moved by your house’s heating and cooling unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.
This equipment connects with your heating and cooling unit to give strong filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
Modern residences are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stay around longer as your residence is drawing in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all year round isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is placed in your ducts to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These units 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 stale indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our techs for more details on which kind is best for your home.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s critical your residence’s humidity remains steady. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.
Our specialists recommend 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think about installing a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC equipment.
Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment provides balanced humidity around your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It occurs when there’s incomplete combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It presents a severe health risk. In little concentrations, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in heavy levels.
We suggest regular furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is working smoothly. This job allows our pros to discover issues before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor near bedrooms and living spaces.
Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the McFadden Heating & Cooling Professionals
Aware that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our approachable HVAC professionals a call at 1-866-781-0111 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you find the right solution for your home and budget.