If you’re uncertain whether your Macon house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. 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 more polluted than outdoors, which could create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common origins of inferior IAQ, the problems they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we recommend consulting with a pro like Air Temperature Control about which solutions are best for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from regular household products.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

  • Furniture
  • Carpet
  • Building materials
  • Cleaning products
  • Cosmetics
  • Air fresheners
  • Candles

When these vapors accumulate in your home, they may 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 location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times worse than the air outdoors.

Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help fumes disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to enhance indoor air. When looking for one, ensure it’s specifically created to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger 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 buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better fit.

This unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give powerful filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

Newer houses are closely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your home is pulling in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to wipe out harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones healthy by wiping out most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more info on which solution is ideal for your home.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s critical your house’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.

Our specialists suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.

Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent humidity around your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It produces a serious health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in large amounts.

We suggest yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your system is running like it should. This service allows our pros to pinpoint issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms need to be on all floors close to bedrooms and living rooms.

Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the Air Temperature Control Pros

Aware that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which product is ideal for you? Give our friendly HVAC pros a call at 478-202-3170 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you locate the ideal option for your needs and budget.