If you’re uncertain whether your Athol residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re indoors up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside homes could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which may create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most common sources of inferior IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we advise chatting with a pro like Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling about which solutions are a good fit for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by common household items.
They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these vapors accumulate inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times greater than the air outdoors.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Opening a window can help odors dissipate faster.
Air purification systems can also improve your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling equipment to clean indoor air. When looking for one, ensure it’s specifically created to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets moved by your residence’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more regularly and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better match.
This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to give powerful filtration. Some models offer hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
New homes are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your home is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell fresher.
An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the capability to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which type is right for your home.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s important your home’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory troubles.
Our professionals suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours steady, consider 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 equipment delivers consistent humidity around 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 presents a serious health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in large levels.
We advise annual furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is working smoothly. This work allows our specialists to spot issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on every floor by bedrooms and living spaces.
Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling Experts
Aware that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 208-561-1226 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you find the ideal option for your needs and budget.