If you’re unsure whether your Moline residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, we’re in a building 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 issues.

Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most frequent causes of inferior IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we advise talking with a pro like J.L. Brady Company LLC about which solutions are a good fit for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes released by regular household products.

They’re found in paint and stains as well as:

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

When these fumes accumulate indoors, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside your home.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Unlatching a window can help chemicals dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When looking for a system, ensure it’s specifically designed to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets redistributed by your house’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to deliver mighty filtration. Some kinds provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New residences are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

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

An air purification system is put in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to wipe out damaging VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your loved ones healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more details on which solution is ideal for your home.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s critical your residence’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory troubles.

Our professionals suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours in balance, think over 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 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 equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It produces an extreme health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in large levels.

We recommend annual furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is working smoothly. This work allows our professionals to see issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on all floors by bedrooms and living areas.

Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the J.L. Brady Company LLC Professionals

Aware that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 309-517-7511 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you choose the ideal option for your home and budget.