If you’re unsure whether your Swanton home has unhealthy 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 residences could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which may create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ

We’ve compiled 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 residence, we recommend chatting with a professional like Northwest Services about which solutions are ideal for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from common household items.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

  • 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 house is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help fumes disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to improve indoor air. When hunting for a model, ensure it’s specifically created 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 recirculated by your residence’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more regularly and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.

This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to deliver powerful filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Modern houses are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time as your home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to wipe out odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down damaging VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your loved ones healthy by eliminating most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which solution is right for your home.

Uneven Humidity

It’s important your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory troubles.

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

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

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It produces a serious health risk. In little levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be fatal in heavy concentrations.

We recommend regular furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is operating like it should. This work allows our technicians to discover problems before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on every floor by bedrooms and living rooms.

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Northwest Services Specialists

Informed that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 419-548-5017 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you locate the right option for your needs and budget.