If you’re unsure whether your Warrenton home has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of 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 more contaminated than outdoors, which might create long-term health issues.

Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most ordinary origins of inferior IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we recommend chatting with a expert like Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning about which products are a good fit for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by regular household things.

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 cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial space, 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 directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help fumes dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling equipment to enhance indoor air. When seeking one, ensure it’s specifically created to eliminate 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 residence’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more routinely and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide strong filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Newer homes are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time as your home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is put in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which type is best for your residence.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s essential your residence’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory symptoms.

Our technicians suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours in balance, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.

In place of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers even humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It causes an extreme health risk. In low levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in large concentrations.

We recommend regular furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is operating like it should. This work allows our techs to pinpoint issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms need to be on each floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning Pros

Aware that your residence has inferior 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 636-456-5041 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you find the right equipment for your home and budget.