If you’re questioning whether your Wyandotte home has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, we’re indoors 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 may create long-term health issues.

Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most frequent origins of bad IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we advise chatting with a pro like Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning about which solutions are ideal for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from everyday household products.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these vapors accumulate inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times greater than the air outdoors.

Always use the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help fumes dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to freshen indoor air. When seeking a model, ensure it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide mighty filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Newer houses are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your house is pulling in less fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out musty indoor air and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which type is best for your residence.

Unbalanced Humidity

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

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

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this product 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 units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It creates an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in heavy amounts.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is operating properly. This job allows our pros to discover issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms should be on every floor near bedrooms and living areas.

Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning Professionals

Informed that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our approachable HVAC professionals a call at 734-284-1224 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you find the ideal option for your needs and budget.