If you’re unsure whether your Zelienople house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re in a building 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 contaminated than outdoors, which can create long-term health issues.

Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common sources of inferior IAQ, the problems they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we recommend chatting with a expert like Knoechel Heating about which products are ideal for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from common household items.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these fumes accumulate inside, they may 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 location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times higher than the air outdoors.

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help odors disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to clean indoor air. When looking for a model, ensure it’s specifically created to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets recirculated by your residence’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more routinely and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.

This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to deliver powerful filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Modern homes are securely 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 a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which type is best for your home.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s essential your house’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory troubles.

Our professionals suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours in balance, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC equipment.

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution 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 creates a severe health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in large levels.

We recommend annual furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is operating like it should. This work allows our technicians to discover problems before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on every floor near bedrooms and living rooms.

Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Knoechel Heating Specialists

Know that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at 724-425-5852 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you find the right solution for your family and budget.