If you’re unsure whether your West Jefferson home has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly 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 residences could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which can result in long-term health problems.
Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most ordinary origins of inferior IAQ, the problems they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we recommend chatting with a expert like West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. about which products are ideal for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from everyday household things.
They’re found in paint and stains as well as:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these chemicals build up in your home, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also result in 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 higher than the air outside your home.
Always use the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help chemicals disappear more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This system collaborates with your heating and cooling unit to clean indoor air. When seeking a model, check that it’s specifically created to wipe out 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 residence’s heating and cooling unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and buy an enhanced air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.
This solution connects with your comfort unit to give strong filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Newer homes are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Musty odors can hang around for an extended amount of time since your home is drawing in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is put in your ducts to wipe out odors before they get released again. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate damaging VOCs. These units can also help keep your loved ones 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 clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our experts for more information on which type is ideal for your house.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s important your home’s humidity keeps steady. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory troubles.
Our specialists recommend 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think over installing a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.
Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment provides consistent humidity across your residence.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It creates an extreme health risk. In small amounts, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in large amounts.
We advise regular furnace maintenance to double-check your system is working properly. This work allows our techs to pinpoint problems before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor close to bedrooms and living spaces.
Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. Pros
Know that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is ideal for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 614-879-9091 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you locate the right solution for your home and budget.