If you’re questioning whether your Huntingburg residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 homes could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which might create long-term health problems.

Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most frequent causes of poor IAQ, the problems they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we recommend talking with a expert like Dearing's Service & Solutions about which options are best for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from everyday household things.

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

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

When these chemicals accumulate in your home, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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 follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Unlatching a window can help vapors dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to enhance indoor air. When hunting for one, 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 continuously gets recirculated by your home’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more regularly and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide strong filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Newer residences are tightly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stick around for a greater amount of time as your home is pulling in less fresh air. Since 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 placed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate harmful VOCs. This equipment 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 stale 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 type is best for your home.

Uneven Humidity

It’s essential your residence’s humidity stays even. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.

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

Rather than having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers balanced 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 units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It poses an extreme health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in big concentrations.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is operating smoothly. This service allows our pros to spot issues before they start, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on every floor near bedrooms and living areas.

Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Dearing's Service & Solutions Specialists

Aware that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC experts a call at 812-200-5844 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you find the ideal solution for your needs and budget.