If you’re unsure whether your Zelienople residence has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We spend a lot of time inside. 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 houses may be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which may lead to long-term health problems.
Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent sources of bad IAQ, the problems they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we advise consulting with a professional like Knoechel Heating Company about which options are a good fit for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes released by common household products.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these chemicals build up in your home, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times greater than the air outdoors.
Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help odors disperse more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also help. This system works with your heating and cooling unit to clean indoor air. When looking for one, check that it’s specifically designed to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets moved by your residence’s heating and cooling unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.
This unit connects with your comfort unit to give powerful filtration. Some types provide hospital-grade filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
Modern homes are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stick around for a greater amount of time as your home is taking in reduced 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 put in your ducts to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones healthy by eliminating most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our technicians for more details on which kind is ideal for your house.
Uneven Humidity
It’s critical your house’s humidity stays balanced. Air that’s too humid can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory troubles.
Our experts recommend 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, think about installing a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.
Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers balanced humidity across your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It’s caused by incomplete combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It produces a severe health risk. In low concentrations, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in large levels.
We recommend regular furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is running properly. This work allows our pros to pinpoint problems before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms need to be on each floor close to bedrooms and living spaces.
Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the Knoechel Heating Company Specialists
Informed that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is a good fit for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at 724-425-5852 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert assistance, we’ll help you choose the best solution for your family and budget.