If you’re uncertain whether your Zelienople residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.
We are indoors a lot. In reality, we’re indoors up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside houses could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which can create long-term health problems.
Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most frequent origins of poor IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we advise talking with a professional like Knoechel Heating about which products are best for your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by everyday household products.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes accumulate in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Unlatching a window can help chemicals disperse faster.
Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling unit to clean indoor air. When hunting for a model, ensure it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets recirculated by your house’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better solution.
This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to deliver powerful filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
Modern residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Musty odors can hang around for a greater amount of time because your home is pulling in less fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the capability to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which kind is ideal for your home.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s important your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.
Our technicians suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours in balance, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling equipment.
In place of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers even 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 appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It creates a serious health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in big concentrations.
We suggest annual furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is running like it should. This service allows our techs to pinpoint issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms need to be on each floor close to bedrooms and living spaces.
Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Knoechel Heating Professionals
Know that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is ideal for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 724-425-5852 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you locate the ideal solution for your needs and budget.