If you’re uncertain whether your Brookfield residence has poor 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 can create long-term health problems.

Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most common sources of bad IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we recommend consulting with a pro like Central Air LLC about which products are best for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by everyday household items.

They’re found in paint and stains as well as:

  • Furniture
  • Carpet
  • Building materials
  • Cleaning products
  • Cosmetics
  • Air fresheners
  • Candles

When these fumes accumulate inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also create 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 worse than the air outdoors.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help vapors disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When looking for a model, ensure it’s specifically created to eradicate 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 home’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.

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

Lasting Odors

Modern homes are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stick around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is put in your ducts to eliminate odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your loved ones healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which kind is best for your home.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s important your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.

Our techs suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC system.

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product 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 appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It produces an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in large concentrations.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is running like it should. This job allows our specialists to pinpoint troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on all floors by bedrooms and living rooms.

Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Central Air LLC Professionals

Aware that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is right for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at 203-357-5913 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you choose the right option for your needs and budget.