If you’re questioning whether your South Beloit and Belvidere residence has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, 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 more contaminated than outdoors, which can create long-term health problems.

Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most ordinary causes of poor IAQ, the troubles they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we recommend chatting with a professional like Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc about which solutions are a good fit for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by everyday 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 in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.

Always use the manufacturer’s instructions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help fumes disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This unit partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When looking for one, ensure it’s specifically created to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Newer houses are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is installed in your ducts to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate harmful VOCs. These systems 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 removes musty indoor air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more details on which solution is best for your home.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s essential your residence’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

Our techs suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers balanced humidity across 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 causes a severe health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in large concentrations.

We recommend regular furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is operating like it should. This service allows our specialists to discover issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms should be on each floor by bedrooms and living areas.

Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc Professionals

Know that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is right for you? Give our kind HVAC professionals a call at 877-389-2465 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the right solution for your home and budget.