If you’re uncertain whether your Laurel residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re in a building up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which might create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of poor IAQ, the problems they make and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we suggest consulting with a pro like H&C Heating and Cooling about which products are best for your family.

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 vapors accumulate indoors, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might 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 chemicals can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help odors disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to enhance indoor air. When hunting for one, ensure it’s specifically made 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 redistributed 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 solution.

This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to deliver strong filtration. Some kinds provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

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

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more information on which kind is ideal for your residence.

Uneven Humidity

It’s critical your residence’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.

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

Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers consistent humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It poses a severe health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in heavy amounts.

We recommend regular furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is working smoothly. This work allows our pros to spot troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on each floor by bedrooms and living rooms.

Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the H&C Heating and Cooling Experts

Informed that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC pros a call at 301-960-3247 or contact us online now. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you locate the ideal solution for your family and budget.