If you’re uncertain whether your Auburn house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We spend much of our time indoors. In fact, we’re in a building up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences can be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which might create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most frequent origins of poor 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 residence, we suggest chatting with a expert like Forster Heating about which solutions are ideal for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by common household things.
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 can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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 outdoors.
Always use the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help chemicals disappear more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also improve your air. This unit works with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When looking for a model, ensure it’s specifically designed to wipe out 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 home’s heating and cooling unit. 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 unit to give strong filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
Newer homes are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stick around longer since your home is drawing in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all year round isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is placed in your ducts to wipe out odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down damaging VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by eliminating most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our experts for more information on which kind is right for your home.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s important your residence’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory troubles.
Our pros advise 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, think about buying a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.
Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this equipment gives balanced humidity across your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It causes a severe health risk. In little amounts, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in large amounts.
We suggest yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your system is operating properly. This service allows our specialists to see 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 must be on every floor near bedrooms and living areas.
Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the Forster Heating Specialists
Aware that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 530-885-8081 or contact us online today. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you locate the right option for your needs and budget.