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

Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent causes of inferior IAQ, the issues they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we suggest consulting with a expert like J.L. Brady Company LLC about which options are a good fit for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from regular household things.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

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

Always use the manufacturer’s directions when painting or cleaning. Opening a window can help vapors dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to clean indoor air. When hunting for a system, ensure it’s specifically made to eradicate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This equipment hooks to your comfort equipment to give strong filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

Modern houses are tightly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is put in your ducts to eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

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

Uneven Humidity

It’s essential your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too humid can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory symptoms.

Our professionals suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours in balance, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.

Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers even humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents a severe health risk. In small levels, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in big levels.

We advise annual furnace maintenance to double-check your system is running properly. This service allows our technicians to spot troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on each floor close to bedrooms and living areas.

Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the J.L. Brady Company LLC Pros

Informed that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 309-517-7511 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the ideal solution for your home and budget.