If you’re uncertain whether your Circleville house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably 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 homes could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which can create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most frequent origins of inferior 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 talking with a expert like Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling about which products are best for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by regular household things.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

  • 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 home is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help vapors dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling unit to improve indoor air. When looking for a model, ensure it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets moved by your house’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more routinely and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to give mighty filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New residences are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stick around for a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

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

A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which solution is right for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s critical your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

Our pros suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers balanced humidity around your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It poses a serious health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in big levels.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to ensure your system is working smoothly. This job allows our professionals to see troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on each floor close to bedrooms and living spaces.

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling Professionals

Aware that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 740-474-5940 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you find the ideal equipment for your family and budget.