If you’re unsure whether your Heflin residence 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 may be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which can result in long-term health concerns.
Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most common causes of inferior IAQ, the problems they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we recommend talking with a expert like Bain Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc about which products are ideal for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by regular household things.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these vapors accumulate indoors, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also lead to 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 greater than the air outside your home.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help fumes disperse more quickly.
Air purification systems can also help. This system collaborates with your heating and cooling unit to improve indoor air. When hunting for a model, ensure it’s specifically designed to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets moved by your residence’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more routinely and install a better air filter, an air filtration system could be a better solution.
This solution connects with your comfort equipment to give mighty filtration. Some models offer hospital-quality filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Newer homes are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stay around for an extended amount of time since your home is taking in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.
An air purification system is put in your ducts to eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to eliminate harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our pros for more information on which kind is ideal for your home.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s essential your residence’s humidity stays balanced. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory troubles.
Our pros recommend 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, consider installing a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.
In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product provides consistent humidity around your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is clear gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by unfinished combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It causes a serious health risk. In little concentrations, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in big concentrations.
We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your system is working like it should. This work allows our professionals to see problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on every floor by bedrooms and living spaces.
Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Bain Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc Professionals
Know that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 256-270-1196 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the ideal option for your home and budget.