If you’re unsure whether your Lexington house has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.
We spend much of our time indoors. As a matter of fact, we’re indoors 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 may create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most frequent causes of bad IAQ, the issues they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we advise chatting with a specialist like James Heating & A/C, Inc about which solutions are a good fit for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals leaked by everyday household products.
They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes collect indoors, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside your home.
Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Unlatching a window can help fumes disperse more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to freshen indoor air. When seeking one, check that it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets moved by your residence’s heating and cooling equipment. While you can vacuum more routinely and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.
This solution connects with your comfort unit to deliver mighty filtration. Some kinds provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
New residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stick around for an extended amount of time because your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open all year round isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the capability to wipe out harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by eliminating most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our specialists for more info on which kind is best for your residence.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s critical your home’s humidity stays steady. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory symptoms.
Our technicians suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC system.
In place of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers consistent humidity around your residence.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is clear 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 produces a severe health risk. In low concentrations, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in large amounts.
We recommend regular furnace maintenance to make sure your system is operating smoothly. This work allows our pros to spot troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms should be on each floor close to bedrooms and living areas.
Better Your House’s Air Quality with the James Heating & A/C, Inc Pros
Informed that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is a good fit for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at 336-853-6070 or contact us online today. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the best option for your home and budget.