If you’re uncertain whether your Derby residence has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, we’re inside 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 polluted than outdoors, which may create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most frequent causes of poor IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we advise talking with a professional like Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning about which options are a good fit for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals leaked by common household items.

They’re found in paint and stains as well as:

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

When these fumes accumulate inside, 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 fumes can be 2–5 times greater than the air outdoors.

Always use the manufacturer’s directions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help fumes disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When seeking one, ensure it’s specifically designed 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 may be a better fit.

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

Lasting Odors

Modern residences are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Musty odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which kind is ideal for your residence.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s important your home’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.

Our pros suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours in balance, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.

Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers consistent humidity throughout 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 causes a serious health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in large amounts.

We recommend regular furnace maintenance to ensure your system is operating properly. This service allows our pros to see problems before they start, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on every floor near bedrooms and living areas.

Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning Pros

Know that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 203-772-8319 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you locate the best equipment for your home and budget.