If you’re questioning whether your Buellton home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.
We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re inside 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 might create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent sources of bad IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we advise consulting with a expert like Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning about which solutions are best for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from common 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 might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times higher than the air outdoors.
Always use the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help odors dissipate faster.
Air purification systems can also better your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to enhance indoor air. When looking for one, ensure it’s specifically made to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets recirculated by your house’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more routinely and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.
This equipment hooks to your comfort equipment to deliver mighty filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
Modern residences are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t an option, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is placed in your ducts to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Look for one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate harmful VOCs. These systems 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 clean outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more info on which type is ideal for your residence.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s critical your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.
Our specialists suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort equipment.
Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product 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 equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It poses an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in large concentrations.
We suggest annual furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is operating properly. This service allows our specialists to spot troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on each floor close to bedrooms and living areas.
Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning Experts
Informed that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our approachable HVAC experts a call at 805-242-9638 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you find the right equipment for your needs and budget.