If you’re unsure whether your Phoenix home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, we’re in a building up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which could create long-term health problems.
Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most ordinary sources of inferior IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we suggest consulting with a professional like Integrity AC & Heating LLC about which products are a good fit for your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by regular household things.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes accumulate inside, they can 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 pollutants can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help odors disperse faster.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This unit partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When hunting for a model, ensure it’s specifically designed to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets redistributed by your home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.
This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give strong filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
Newer houses are closely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stick around for a greater amount of time as your house is pulling in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two models of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more information on which kind is ideal for your home.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s essential your residence’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory troubles.
Our professionals suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.
Instead of 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 insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It causes a serious health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in big concentrations.
We advise regular furnace maintenance to ensure your system is running smoothly. This job allows our professionals to spot troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on each floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.
Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Integrity AC & Heating LLC Specialists
Know that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC pros a call at 602-971-0567 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you find the best equipment for your home and budget.