If you’re questioning whether your East Bernard residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.
We spend a lot of time inside. As a matter of fact, we’re inside up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside houses may be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which may lead to long-term health problems.
Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most ordinary sources of bad IAQ, the problems they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we suggest chatting with a expert like E.B. Air, LLC about which options are best for your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by regular household products.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes build up in your home, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside your home.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help vapors disappear faster.
Air purification systems can also help. This equipment works with your heating and cooling equipment to clean indoor air. When seeking a model, check that it’s specifically designed to eradicate 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 house’s heating and cooling unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.
This unit connects with your heating and cooling unit to give strong filtration. Some models provide hospital-grade filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
Modern homes are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your home is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your loved ones healthy by eliminating most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our experts for more info on which type is right for your residence.
Uneven Humidity
It’s critical your home’s humidity remains steady. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory troubles.
Our professionals suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours in balance, think over buying a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.
In place of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers even humidity across your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It’s a byproduct of unfinished combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It creates an extreme health risk. In small concentrations, it can lead to flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in big amounts.
We suggest annual furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is operating like it should. This service allows our pros to pinpoint issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms should be on each floor near bedrooms and living spaces.
Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the E.B. Air, LLC Pros
Aware that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is ideal for you? Give our approachable HVAC experts a call at 979-335-4262 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you find the right equipment for your needs and budget.