If you’re questioning whether your Derby house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In fact, 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 might create long-term health issues.

Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common causes of poor IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we suggest consulting with a specialist like Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning about which solutions are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

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

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these chemicals accumulate indoors, they can 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 chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outdoors.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Unlatching a window can help chemicals disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to improve indoor air. When looking for one, ensure it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets moved by your residence’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more routinely and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.

This unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give strong filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Newer residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can hang around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of 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 types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which kind is right for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s critical your home’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory concerns.

Our techs suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours in balance, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers balanced humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It causes a serious health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It may be fatal in big levels.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is operating smoothly. This job allows our professionals to pinpoint troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor close to bedrooms and living spaces.

Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the Giordanos Heating and Air Conditioning Specialists

Informed that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 203-772-8319 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you locate the right solution for your family and budget.