If you’re uncertain whether your Savage house has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.
We spend much of our time indoors. 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 houses may be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which might lead to long-term health issues.
Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most common origins of inferior IAQ, the issues they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we suggest talking with a specialist like Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning about which products are ideal for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from regular household products.
They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these vapors collect inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.
Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help fumes disappear faster.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to improve indoor air. When hunting for a system, make sure 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 constantly gets redistributed by your home’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more regularly and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.
This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
Newer houses are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stale odors can hang around longer since your house is taking in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to wipe out harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our pros for more information on which kind is ideal for your house.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s important your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.
Our professionals recommend 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, consider buying a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.
Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers even humidity across your residence.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It occurs when there’s incomplete combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It creates a serious health risk. In small concentrations, it can cause flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in heavy levels.
We recommend annual furnace maintenance to ensure your system is working like it should. This work allows our pros to find troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor by bedrooms and living spaces.
Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning Experts
Know that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which solution is ideal for you? Give our kind HVAC pros a call at 952-373-0377 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you choose the best equipment for your family and budget.