If you’re questioning whether your Eastland house has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably 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 houses could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which can create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most frequent causes of bad 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 house, we suggest consulting with a pro like J & J Air Conditioning about which products are best for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from common household items.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these vapors accumulate indoors, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help odors disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling unit to improve indoor air. When seeking a system, ensure it’s specifically made to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets redistributed by your house’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more routinely and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

This unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give mighty filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Modern houses are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stick around for a greater amount of time since your home is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is put in your ducts to wipe out odors before they get released again. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which solution is best for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s important your house’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory symptoms.

Our pros suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours even, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers balanced humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It presents an extreme health risk. In low levels, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be fatal in large levels.

We recommend annual furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is working properly. This work allows our technicians to spot issues before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with the J & J Air Conditioning Professionals

Know that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 254-355-3833 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the right option for your needs and budget.