If you’re uncertain whether your Bartlesville residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.
We spend a lot of time inside. 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 may be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which can create long-term health issues.
Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most ordinary causes of poor IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we suggest talking with a specialist like Farris Heating & Air about which options are best for your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by common household products.
They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these chemicals accumulate in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Unlatching a window can help fumes disperse faster.
Air purification systems can also better your air. This equipment collaborates with your heating and cooling equipment to clean indoor air. When looking for a system, check that it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets redistributed by your home’s heating and cooling equipment. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.
This solution hooks to your HVAC unit to deliver strong filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Newer residences are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stale odors can stay around for an extended amount of time since your residence is taking 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 cleaner.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to eliminate dangerous VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out musty indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our experts for more details on which solution is ideal for your house.
Uneven Humidity
It’s essential your house’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.
Our techs suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.
Rather than having to drag 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 occurs when there’s incomplete combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It presents a severe health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in large concentrations.
We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your system is operating smoothly. This job allows our techs to pinpoint issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on all floors close to bedrooms and living rooms.
Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the Farris Heating & Air Professionals
Aware that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our kind HVAC pros a call at 918-333-0376 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you find the right solution for your family and budget.