If you’re questioning whether your Cache Valley home has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.
We are indoors a lot. In reality, we’re in a building up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside houses could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which may create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most ordinary sources of poor IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we advise consulting with a pro like Western Mechanical, Inc. about which solutions are best for your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by common 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 indoors, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside your home.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Unlatching a window can help chemicals disperse faster.
Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When looking for a system, ensure it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets redistributed by your house’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.
This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide strong filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Modern homes are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to break down damaging VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which kind is best for your residence.
Uneven Humidity
It’s important your residence’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory troubles.
Our pros suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours even, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.
In place of having to lug 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’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It poses an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in large amounts.
We advise annual furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is working properly. This work allows our specialists to discover troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on each floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.
Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Western Mechanical, Inc. Experts
Informed that your home has bad 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 435-753-5515 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you locate the best equipment for your needs and budget.