If you’re questioning whether your Marshalltown home has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 can lead to long-term health issues.
Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most frequent origins of inferior IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we recommend chatting with a professional like B & G HVAC about which solutions are ideal for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by regular household things.
They’re found in paint and stains as well as:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these chemicals accumulate in your home, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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 outdoors.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help fumes dissipate faster.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This unit works with your heating and cooling equipment to clean indoor air. When hunting for a system, check that it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets moved by your home’s HVAC unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an enhanced air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.
This unit connects with your HVAC system to give strong filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
New homes are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time because your home is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all year round isn’t an option, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which solution is right for your home.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s critical your residence’s humidity keeps steady. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory symptoms.
Our specialists suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think about buying a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.
Rather than having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this solution gives consistent humidity around your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It creates a severe health risk. In small amounts, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in big levels.
We recommend annual furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is working properly. This work allows our pros to discover troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on each floor near bedrooms and living spaces.
Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the B & G HVAC Specialists
Informed that your home has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 641-316-3360 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you find the right option for your needs and budget.