If you’re questioning whether your Troy house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

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

Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most frequent sources of poor IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we recommend chatting with a expert like Edington Heating & Cooling Inc about which options are ideal for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by regular household items.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

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

When these fumes accumulate inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might 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 pollutants can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Cracking a window can help fumes disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When seeking one, ensure it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets redistributed by your home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.

This unit hooks to your comfort equipment to provide strong filtration. Some types have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your ducts to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the capability to wipe out damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stale indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more info on which kind is best for your home.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s important your house’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.

Our specialists suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling equipment.

Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers balanced 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 units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents a serious health risk. In low levels, it can cause flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It could be fatal in large concentrations.

We advise annual furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is working like it should. This service allows our specialists to find troubles 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 should be on each floor near bedrooms and living areas.

Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Edington Heating & Cooling Inc Pros

Informed that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our approachable HVAC experts a call at 937-558-9478 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you find the best equipment for your family and budget.