If you’re unsure whether your Macon house 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 could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which might create long-term health problems.
Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most frequent origins of inferior IAQ, the troubles they cause and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we suggest consulting with a specialist like Air Temperature Control about which products are best for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by everyday household items.
They’re found in paint and stains as well as:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes accumulate indoors, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial space, 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 instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help chemicals disperse faster.
Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When seeking 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 system. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better match.
This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give strong filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
New residences are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is installed in your ducts to eliminate odors before they get released again. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to break down 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 takes out stale indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which solution is ideal for your residence.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s critical your residence’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.
Our technicians suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours even, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.
Rather than having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers consistent humidity across your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It causes an extreme health risk. In low levels, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be fatal in large levels.
We suggest regular furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is running smoothly. This work allows our professionals to pinpoint troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor by bedrooms and living rooms.
Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the Air Temperature Control Specialists
Informed that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at 478-202-3170 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you find the best equipment for your home and budget.