If you’re questioning whether your Manassas home has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 worse than outdoors, which could create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent sources of poor IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we suggest talking with a specialist like Woody's Sudden Service about which solutions are a good fit for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes released by common household products.

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

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

When these chemicals accumulate indoors, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house 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 adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help fumes disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This unit partners with your heating and cooling equipment to enhance indoor air. When seeking a model, ensure it’s specifically created to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets redistributed by your house’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better solution.

This equipment hooks to your comfort equipment to provide strong filtration. Some types have hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

New houses are closely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your house is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t an option, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they get released again. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate damaging VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your loved ones healthy by eliminating most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which type is best for your house.

Uneven Humidity

It’s important your home’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.

Our experts suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours steady, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.

Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even humidity around your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It produces a serious health risk. In low levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in heavy concentrations.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is running smoothly. This work allows our professionals to see problems before they start, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms need to be on all floors by bedrooms and living rooms.

Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Woody's Sudden Service Experts

Aware that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 703-278-2036 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you locate the ideal solution for your needs and budget.