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

We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re inside up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which might create long-term health problems.

Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most common origins of poor IAQ, the problems they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we suggest talking with a professional like Woody's Sudden Service about which solutions are ideal for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes released by regular household things.

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

  • 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 can also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside.

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help chemicals disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When seeking one, ensure it’s specifically designed to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets moved by your home’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more routinely and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.

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

Lingering Odors

New homes are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down damaging VOCs. These units 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 removes stale indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which solution is best for your residence.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s essential your home’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can create mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.

Our experts suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.

Rather than having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers even humidity around your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It causes a severe health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in large levels.

We advise regular furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is running like it should. This service allows our techs to discover issues before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on all floors near bedrooms and living spaces.

Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Woody's Sudden Service Professionals

Aware that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is right for you? Give our approachable HVAC professionals a call at 703-278-2036 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the best equipment for your family and budget.