If you’re uncertain whether your Derby home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.
We are indoors a lot. As a matter of 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 may be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which could create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent sources of inferior IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we suggest talking with a pro like Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning about which solutions are ideal for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by regular household products.
They’re found in paint and stains as well as:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these chemicals build up inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also create 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 higher than the air outdoors.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help odors disperse more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also help. This system partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When looking for one, check that it’s specifically created to eliminate 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 home’s heating and cooling equipment. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an enhanced air filter, an air filtration system could be a better solution.
This equipment hooks to your HVAC unit to deliver mighty filtration. Some models have hospital-quality filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
Modern homes are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Stale odors can stay around longer as your home is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which type is best for your house.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s essential your house’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory troubles.
Our technicians recommend 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, consider installing a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.
In place of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers even humidity throughout your residence.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It causes a serious health risk. In low concentrations, it can lead to flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in heavy levels.
We suggest regular furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is running smoothly. This work allows our techs to pinpoint issues before they begin, 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 need to be on each floor near bedrooms and living spaces.
Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning Experts
Know that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 203-772-8319 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you locate the right option for your family and budget.