If you’re questioning whether your Manassas residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re in a building 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 may lead to long-term health problems.
Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent origins of inferior IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we recommend consulting with a specialist like Woody's Sudden Service Inc about which solutions are a good fit for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from common household items.
They’re found in paint and stains as well as:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes build up indoors, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also create 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 higher than the air outdoors.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when painting or cleaning. Opening a window can help vapors disperse more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to enhance indoor air. When seeking one, make sure it’s specifically created to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets redistributed by your home’s HVAC system. While you can vacuum more regularly and buy a better air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.
This solution hooks to your HVAC system to provide powerful filtration. Some kinds offer hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Newer homes are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can hang around for an extended amount of time since your home is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is put in your ducts to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to wipe out dangerous VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your loved ones healthy by wiping out most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more details on which type is right for your house.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s important your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.
Our specialists recommend 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours even, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling equipment.
In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers balanced humidity across your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It’s caused by unfinished combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It creates a severe health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in large concentrations.
We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your system is operating properly. This job allows our specialists to discover problems before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms must be on each floor by bedrooms and living spaces.
Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the Woody's Sudden Service Inc Professionals
Aware that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which product is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 703-278-2036 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you locate the ideal solution for your needs and budget.