If you’re unsure whether your Jefferson City house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re indoors up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside houses could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which can create long-term health problems.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common origins of poor IAQ, the problems they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we recommend consulting with a pro like Stieferman Heating Company Inc about which options are best for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by regular household things.

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

  • 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 may also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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.

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 make it better. This unit partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When hunting for one, ensure it’s specifically made to wipe out 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 home’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more routinely and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better match.

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

Lasting Odors

New residences are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

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 power to eliminate damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which solution is ideal for your house.

Uneven Humidity

It’s critical your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory troubles.

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

In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment 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 equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

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

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is working like it should. This job allows our pros to spot issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms must be on every floor by bedrooms and living spaces.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Stieferman Heating Company Inc Experts

Know that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at 573-635-3547 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you locate the best solution for your needs and budget.