If you’re uncertain whether your Crown Point house has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of 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 polluted than outdoors, which might create long-term health problems.

Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common causes of inferior IAQ, the troubles they cause and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we recommend consulting with a professional like Struven Heating & Cooling about which solutions are ideal for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from everyday household products.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

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

When these vapors accumulate inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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 outdoors.

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Unlatching a window can help vapors disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling unit to clean indoor air. When looking for a system, ensure it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some types have hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Modern residences are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is put in your ducts to neutralize odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your loved ones healthy by wiping out most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

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

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s critical your home’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory troubles.

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

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent 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 units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It poses an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in heavy concentrations.

We advise regular furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is working like it should. This job allows our techs to find problems before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on all floors by bedrooms and living areas.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Struven Heating & Cooling Specialists

Informed that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC professionals a call at 219-292-0956 or contact us online now. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you choose the best equipment for your home and budget.