If you’re uncertain whether your Moline house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We spend a lot of time inside. In reality, 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 worse than outdoors, which could lead to long-term health concerns.
Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most frequent origins of poor IAQ, the troubles they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we recommend talking with a professional like J.L. Brady Company LLC about which options are best for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by 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 build up inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.
Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help chemicals disperse more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When hunting for one, make sure it’s specifically designed to eradicate 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 system. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better solution.
This solution works with your HVAC equipment to provide strong filtration. Some types provide hospital-grade filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Newer houses are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stay around for an extended amount of time since your house is taking in less fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our techs for more details on which type is right for your residence.
Uneven Humidity
It’s important your house’s humidity keeps balanced. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory concerns.
Our pros suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, think over installing a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.
Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this solution gives even humidity throughout your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It’s a byproduct of unfinished combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It creates a severe health risk. In little amounts, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in large levels.
We suggest yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your system is working smoothly. This service allows our specialists to find issues before they start, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.
Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the J.L. Brady Company LLC Specialists
Know that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 309-517-7511 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you locate the best solution for your home and budget.