If you’re uncertain whether your Siloam Springs house has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. In 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 more polluted than outdoors, which could create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most common sources of poor IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we suggest talking with a expert like Siloam Springs Heating & AC about which options are best for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes released by everyday household products.

They’re found in paint and stains as well as:

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

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

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help chemicals disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to freshen indoor air. When looking for one, ensure it’s specifically made to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

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

Lasting Odors

Newer residences are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your home is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is installed in your ducts to eliminate odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which solution is right for your residence.

Uneven Humidity

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

Our experts suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, 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 equipment delivers balanced humidity across 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 causes an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be fatal in large amounts.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is operating smoothly. This job allows our professionals to discover issues before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on every floor by bedrooms and living spaces.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Siloam Springs Heating & AC Specialists

Aware that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 479-308-8176 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you choose the best equipment for your needs and budget.