If you’re questioning whether your Sandpoint home has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.
We spend much of our time indoors. 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 more contaminated than outdoors, which can create long-term health issues.
Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most frequent causes of inferior IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we advise consulting with a pro like Age Heating & Cooling about which solutions are a good fit for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from common household things.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes build up in your home, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help chemicals disappear more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to clean indoor air. When hunting for a model, check that it’s specifically designed to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets recirculated by your home’s HVAC system. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better solution.
This unit works with your HVAC system to provide mighty filtration. Some models provide hospital-quality filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
Newer residences are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your residence is drawing in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our experts for more details on which kind is right for your house.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s critical your home’s humidity remains steady. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.
Our technicians recommend 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours in balance, think over buying a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.
In place of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product gives consistent humidity across your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It creates an extreme health risk. In low amounts, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in big levels.
We advise annual furnace maintenance to double-check your system is operating smoothly. This job allows our techs to spot 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 should be on all floors by bedrooms and living rooms.
Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with the Age Heating & Cooling Specialists
Aware that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at 208-578-4258 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you find the ideal solution for your family and budget.