If you’re questioning whether your Monroe home has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly 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 more polluted than outdoors, which can create long-term health problems.
Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most frequent origins of poor IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we suggest consulting with a expert like Lanz Furnace and Fireplace about which options are a good fit for your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from regular household products.
They’re found in paint and stains as well as:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these vapors accumulate in your home, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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 adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Unlatching a window can help chemicals disperse faster.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This unit partners with your heating and cooling unit to enhance indoor air. When seeking 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 continually gets redistributed by your residence’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.
This unit hooks to your comfort equipment to deliver strong filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Newer houses are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy bill, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in less fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is put in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate damaging VOCs. These units can also help keep your loved ones healthy by wiping out most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more information on which type is ideal for your residence.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s important your residence’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.
Our pros suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours in balance, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling equipment.
Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers even humidity throughout your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It produces an extreme health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in large levels.
We recommend annual furnace maintenance to make sure your system is operating smoothly. This service allows our professionals to pinpoint problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms must be on each floor close to bedrooms and living areas.
Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Lanz Furnace and Fireplace Professionals
Aware that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC experts a call at 608-291-3606 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional assistance, we’ll help you choose the best solution for your needs and budget.
