If you’re uncertain whether your Arlington home has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re indoors up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which might create long-term health issues.

Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of bad IAQ, the issues they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we advise chatting with a specialist like Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning about which options are ideal for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

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

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these vapors accumulate inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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.

Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help fumes disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When hunting for a model, ensure it’s specifically made to wipe out 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 home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide mighty filtration. Some kinds offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

New houses are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out musty indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which kind is right for your residence.

Uneven Humidity

It’s important your house’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

Our experts suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours even, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.

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

Carbon Monoxide

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

It presents a severe health risk. In little levels, it can lead to flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in big levels.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is operating like it should. This service allows our techs to see issues before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on all floors by bedrooms and living spaces.

Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning Experts

Aware that your home has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC pros a call at 360-255-5857 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you choose the ideal option for your home and budget.