If you’re questioning whether your Jefferson City home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably 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 houses could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which may create long-term health issues.
Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most ordinary origins of poor IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we recommend chatting with a pro like Stieferman Heating Company Inc about which products are ideal for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from regular household things.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these vapors accumulate inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause 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 worse than the air outside your home.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help chemicals dissipate faster.
Air purification systems can also improve your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to clean indoor air. When hunting for one, ensure it’s specifically made to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets redistributed by your residence’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.
This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide strong filtration. Some kinds provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
Newer residences are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in less fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down damaging VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which kind is ideal for your residence.
Uneven Humidity
It’s essential your home’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.
Our professionals suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours in balance, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling equipment.
Instead of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers balanced humidity around your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It presents a severe health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be fatal in large amounts.
We suggest regular furnace maintenance to make sure your system is working smoothly. This job allows our techs to find problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on all floors by bedrooms and living rooms.
Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Stieferman Heating Company Inc Experts
Informed that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is right for you? Give our kind HVAC professionals a call at 573-635-3547 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you locate the best equipment for your family and budget.