If you’re unsure whether your East Bernard home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re in a building 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 contaminated than outdoors, which may create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most ordinary causes of poor IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we recommend chatting with a specialist like E.B. Air about which products are a good fit for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

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

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

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

When these fumes accumulate indoors, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Unlatching a window can help vapors disperse faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets redistributed by your house’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

This equipment hooks to your comfort equipment to deliver strong filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Modern homes are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your ducts to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Search 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 getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

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

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s essential your house’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

Our professionals suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours in balance, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC equipment.

In place of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent 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 appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents a serious health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be fatal in large amounts.

We advise annual furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is operating like it should. This work allows our technicians to discover troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on each floor near bedrooms and living areas.

Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the E.B. Air Pros

Know that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 979-335-4262 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert assistance, we’ll help you find the right option for your family and budget.