If you’re unsure whether your Brookfield home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.
We are indoors a lot. 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 homes could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which could create long-term health issues.
Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most ordinary origins of inferior IAQ, the problems 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 consulting with a professional like Central Air LLC about which options are ideal for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by regular household items.
They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these vapors accumulate indoors, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house 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 use the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help vapors disperse faster.
Air purification systems can also help. This unit partners with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When looking for a model, ensure it’s specifically created to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets moved by your home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better solution.
This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to give strong filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
New residences are closely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.
An air purification system is placed in your ducts to eliminate odors before they get released again. Find one with a carbon filter and the capability to wipe out damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which solution is right for your residence.
Uneven Humidity
It’s essential your house’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory troubles.
Our techs suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours in balance, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC system.
In place of having to lug 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 poses an extreme health risk. In low levels, it can cause flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be fatal in large amounts.
We suggest annual furnace maintenance to make sure your system is operating like it should. This work allows our professionals to see problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on each floor close to bedrooms and living spaces.
Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with the Central Air LLC Specialists
Informed that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which product is ideal for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at 203-357-5913 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you locate the ideal equipment for your family and budget.