If you’re questioning whether your Mount Hope residence has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re inside 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 problems.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most frequent sources of bad IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we suggest talking with a expert like Appalachian Heating about which products are a good fit for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by common 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 inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.

Always use the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help chemicals disperse faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets redistributed by your house’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more frequently and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.

This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give mighty filtration. Some models offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

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

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they recirculate. 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 pulls out stale indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more details on which type is best for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

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

Our specialists suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours even, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort equipment.

Rather than having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers balanced humidity throughout 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 a severe health risk. In low levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in big levels.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your system is running like it should. This work allows our technicians to see issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor by bedrooms and living spaces.

Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the Appalachian Heating Professionals

Know that your home has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC professionals a call at 304-707-0600 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you find the right solution for your needs and budget.