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

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

Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common sources 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 house, we suggest consulting with a pro like Integrity AC & Heating LLC about which products are a good fit for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from everyday 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 can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside your home.

Always use the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help chemicals disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When hunting for a model, ensure it’s specifically designed to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can aggravate 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 get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.

This unit hooks to your comfort equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some models offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Newer residences are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is placed in your ducts to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which type is ideal for your residence.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s essential your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory symptoms.

Our professionals suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.

In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent humidity around 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 presents a serious health risk. In low levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be fatal in heavy amounts.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is working like it should. This job allows our specialists to pinpoint issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Integrity AC & Heating LLC Professionals

Informed that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is ideal for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 602-971-0567 or contact us online now. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you locate the ideal option for your family and budget.