If you’re unsure whether your Bartlesville house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, we’re indoors 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 could create long-term health problems.

Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most frequent causes of poor IAQ, the issues they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we recommend consulting with a pro like Farris Heating & Air about which products are a good fit for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes released by common 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 inside, 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 outdoors.

Always use the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Unlatching a window can help odors disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When seeking 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 constantly gets moved by your residence’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to deliver strong filtration. Some kinds offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Modern houses are closely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your HVAC system to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out damaging VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which kind is best for your home.

Uneven Humidity

It’s critical your house’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.

Our pros suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours in balance, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC system.

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers consistent humidity throughout 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 presents a serious health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in big amounts.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is operating like it should. This work allows our pros to discover troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

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

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

Aware that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is right 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 home and budget.