If you’re questioning whether your Lexington house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 worse than outdoors, which could create long-term health issues.

Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most ordinary sources of poor IAQ, the issues they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we suggest consulting with a professional like James Heating & A/C, Inc about which options are ideal for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by everyday household things.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these fumes accumulate 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 area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside your home.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Opening a window can help odors dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When looking for one, 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 recirculated by your home’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more frequently and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.

This solution hooks to your comfort equipment to deliver powerful filtration. Some kinds provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

New homes are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your residence is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t a possibility, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is put in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones healthy by eliminating most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stale indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which type is ideal for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s important your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory troubles.

Our pros suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours steady, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even humidity around 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 produces an extreme health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in large levels.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is running like it should. This job allows our technicians to pinpoint troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the James Heating & A/C, Inc Experts

Know that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at 336-853-6070 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you choose the right option for your needs and budget.