If you’re unsure whether your Siloam Springs residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 can be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which may result in long-term health problems.
Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most common sources of inferior IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we suggest chatting with a specialist like Siloam Springs Heating & AC about which options are ideal for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked 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 chemicals build up inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause 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 higher than the air outside.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help vapors disappear faster.
Air purification systems can also better your air. This equipment collaborates with your heating and cooling system to improve indoor air. When hunting for a system, ensure it’s specifically designed to eliminate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets redistributed by your house’s heating and cooling system. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.
This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling unit to provide mighty filtration. Some models provide hospital-grade filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
Newer houses are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Musty odors can hang around longer since your house is taking in less fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all year round isn’t doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is placed in your ducts to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to break down damaging VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our experts for more info on which solution is right for your house.
Uneven Humidity
It’s critical your residence’s humidity stays even. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory symptoms.
Our specialists suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think over installing a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.
Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution gives balanced humidity across your residence.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is clear gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of incomplete combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It poses a severe health risk. In little amounts, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in heavy levels.
We recommend regular furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is running like it should. This service allows our pros to see issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms should be on each floor close to bedrooms and living areas.
Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Siloam Springs Heating & AC Experts
Informed that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is ideal for you? Give our approachable HVAC professionals a call at 479-308-8176 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you choose the right option for your needs and budget.