If you’re uncertain whether your Tucker home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We spend a lot of time inside. In reality, we’re in a building up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences may be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which could lead to long-term health issues.
Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most frequent causes of inferior IAQ, the issues they make and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we recommend talking with a professional like ACS Heating and Air Conditioning about which products are ideal for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes 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 fumes accumulate inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence 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 outside your home.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help fumes disappear more quickly.
Air purification systems can also better your air. This unit collaborates with your heating and cooling equipment to freshen indoor air. When looking for a system, check that 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 constantly gets recirculated by your residence’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more routinely and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.
This equipment works with your comfort equipment to give mighty filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
New residences are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Stale odors can hang around longer because your residence is drawing in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is put in your ducts to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to eliminate harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our technicians for more details on which solution is ideal for your residence.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s critical your residence’s humidity keeps steady. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory symptoms.
Our specialists recommend 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours in balance, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.
Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers even humidity throughout your residence.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is clear gas you can’t smell. It occurs when there’s incomplete combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It produces a serious health risk. In low amounts, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in large amounts.
We advise yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is working properly. This job allows our techs to find troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms must be on all floors near bedrooms and living rooms.
Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the ACS Heating and Air Conditioning Pros
Aware that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which product is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 770-450-1539 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you choose the right equipment for your family and budget.