If you’re uncertain whether your Yukon home has unhealthy 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 worse than outdoors, which might create long-term health problems.
Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most common sources of bad IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we advise talking with a pro like Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning about which solutions are ideal for your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by common household products.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes accumulate in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Unlatching a window can help fumes disperse faster.
Air purification systems can also better your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When hunting for a model, ensure it’s specifically made 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 comfort unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.
This unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
Newer homes are tightly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time 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 neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to wipe out harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by eliminating most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which solution is best for your house.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s essential your house’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.
Our specialists suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours even, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC equipment.
Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even 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 produces a severe health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be fatal in big concentrations.
We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is operating smoothly. This service allows our technicians to see problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on every floor near bedrooms and living rooms.
Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with the Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning Pros
Informed that your house has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC pros a call at 405-494-7444 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you locate the best option for your needs and budget.