If you’re questioning whether your Laurel house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably 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 concerns.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most ordinary causes of poor IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we suggest consulting with a professional like H&C Heating and Cooling about which options are ideal for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from common household products.

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

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

When these chemicals accumulate indoors, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help chemicals disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to enhance indoor air. When hunting for a system, ensure it’s specifically created to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets recirculated by your home’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.

This unit hooks to your comfort equipment to deliver strong filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

New residences are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stick around for a greater amount of time as your house is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is put in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate damaging VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which kind is best for your residence.

Uneven Humidity

It’s essential your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory troubles.

Our pros suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours steady, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.

In place of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers consistent 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 equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It creates a serious health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It could be fatal in big amounts.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is working smoothly. This job allows our technicians to find problems before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on every floor close to bedrooms and living areas.

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the H&C Heating and Cooling Pros

Informed that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is ideal for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 301-960-3247 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you find the right solution for your home and budget.