If you’re uncertain whether your Carson City residence has poor 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 homes could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which can create long-term health problems.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common causes of bad IAQ, the problems they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we recommend consulting with a professional like Anderson Heating & A/C about which products are ideal for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from everyday household items.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these fumes accumulate in your home, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help fumes dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When seeking a system, ensure it’s specifically created to eradicate 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 comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to give powerful filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Newer residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time since your home is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t an option, here are two approaches 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 ability to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more details on which kind is right for your house.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s essential your house’s humidity stays even. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory concerns.

Our technicians suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort equipment.

Rather than having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents a severe health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in heavy levels.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to double-check your system is running like it should. This work allows our pros to pinpoint problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on each floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Anderson Heating & A/C Professionals

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 approachable HVAC specialists a call at 775-230-7628 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you locate the ideal option for your home and budget.