If you’re unsure whether your Athol residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, 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 worse than outdoors, which may create long-term health issues.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common causes of poor 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 advise talking with a specialist like Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling about which options are a good fit for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by common household products.

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 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 painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help fumes disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When hunting for one, ensure it’s specifically made to eradicate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets moved by your home’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide mighty filtration. Some kinds provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

Modern residences are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can hang around for a greater amount of time because your home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more details on which kind is best for your residence.

Uneven Humidity

It’s important your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory symptoms.

Our pros 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 system.

Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers balanced 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 a serious health risk. In small levels, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in large amounts.

We advise regular furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is running smoothly. This work allows our professionals to spot issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling Professionals

Informed that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at 208-561-1226 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you find the right solution for your home and budget.