If you’re questioning whether your Carson City residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We spend much of our time indoors. In reality, we’re indoors up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences may be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which can result in long-term health concerns.
Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most frequent sources of bad IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we recommend consulting with a specialist like Anderson Heating & A/C about which solutions are best for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from regular household things.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes collect inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also result in 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 greater than the air outside your home.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help vapors disappear faster.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This unit collaborates with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When looking for one, ensure it’s specifically made to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets recirculated by your house’s heating and cooling unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an enhanced air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.
This solution works with your heating and cooling unit to give strong filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Modern residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Stale odors can stick around for an extended amount of time as your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes stale indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which solution is best for your residence.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s important your house’s humidity stays steady. Air that has too much moisture can create mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.
Our techs suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort equipment.
Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment gives even humidity across your residence.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It creates an extreme health risk. In small concentrations, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be fatal in big amounts.
We recommend annual furnace maintenance to make sure your system is running properly. This service allows our professionals to find problems before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause 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 close to bedrooms and living areas.
Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Anderson Heating & A/C Experts
Informed that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 775-230-7628 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you find the best equipment for your home and budget.