If you’re uncertain whether your Arlington home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, we’re inside up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which could lead to long-term health concerns.
Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most frequent sources of bad 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 suggest chatting with a specialist like Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning about which products are best for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from common household products.
They’re found in paint and stains as well as:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these chemicals build up in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.
Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help fumes disperse more quickly.
Air purification systems can also better your air. This system works with your heating and cooling equipment to freshen indoor air. When hunting for a model, make sure it’s specifically made 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 routinely and get a better air filter, an air filtration system could be a better fit.
This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide mighty filtration. Some types offer hospital-quality filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Modern residences are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stick around for an extended amount of time as your residence is taking 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 better.
An air purification system is put in your ducts to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our techs for more info on which solution is ideal for your home.
Uneven Humidity
It’s critical your home’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.
Our pros recommend 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.
Rather than having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this solution provides even humidity around your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It creates a severe health risk. In low amounts, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in big levels.
We advise regular furnace maintenance to ensure your system is operating smoothly. This work allows our pros to spot problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on all floors near bedrooms and living areas.
Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning Pros
Know that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 360-255-5857 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you choose the best solution for your home and budget.