If you’re unsure whether your Haines City house has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We spend a lot of time inside. In fact, we’re inside up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside houses could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which might lead to long-term health issues.
Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most frequent causes of bad IAQ, the issues they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we recommend chatting with a pro like Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. about which solutions are a good fit for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by common household products.
They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these vapors build up inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help odors dissipate more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also help. This unit collaborates with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When seeking one, ensure it’s specifically designed to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets recirculated by your residence’s heating and cooling equipment. While you can vacuum more frequently and get a better air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.
This unit works with your comfort unit to deliver strong filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
Newer residences are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Musty odors can hang around for a greater amount of time since your residence is drawing in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our specialists for more information on which kind is best for your residence.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s important your house’s humidity remains steady. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory concerns.
Our pros advise 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, consider buying 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 gives consistent humidity across 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 presents a severe health risk. In little concentrations, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in large levels.
We advise yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is working like it should. This job allows our specialists to see issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on all floors close to bedrooms and living rooms.
Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. Experts
Know that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is best for you? Give our kind HVAC pros a call at 863-216-2923 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you locate the best solution for your needs and budget.