If you’re questioning whether your Zelienople home has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

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

Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most ordinary causes of bad IAQ, the problems they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we recommend chatting with a specialist like Knoechel Heating about which options are a good fit for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by everyday household items.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these vapors accumulate in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times higher than the air outdoors.

Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help vapors disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When hunting for a system, ensure it’s specifically designed 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 recirculated by your house’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give strong filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

New homes are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility bill, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in less fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t an option, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is put in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more details on which type is ideal for your home.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s critical your residence’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory troubles.

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

Rather than having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers even humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It creates a serious health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in large amounts.

We recommend regular furnace maintenance to make sure your system is operating properly. This work allows our specialists to find issues before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on all floors by bedrooms and living rooms.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Knoechel Heating Experts

Aware that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is ideal for you? Give our approachable HVAC experts a call at 724-425-5852 or contact us online today. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you find the right option for your family and budget.