If you’re unsure whether your York house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably 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 residences may be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which could create long-term health problems.
Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most common sources of bad IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we suggest talking with a pro like Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning about which products are a good fit for your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by common household items.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these vapors build up inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also result in 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 worse than the air outside.
Always use the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help odors disperse more quickly.
Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment works with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When seeking one, make sure it’s specifically created 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 home’s heating and cooling unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an enhanced air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.
This equipment hooks to your HVAC unit to give strong filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
Modern houses are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Stale odors can stay around longer as your house is pulling in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is put in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our specialists for more information on which type is ideal for your house.
Uneven Humidity
It’s essential your residence’s humidity stays balanced. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.
Our pros advise 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, think over buying a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.
Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product gives even humidity across your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is clear gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of incomplete combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It poses a serious health risk. In low concentrations, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in big amounts.
We suggest yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your system is working smoothly. This job allows our technicians to find troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms should be on all floors close to bedrooms and living rooms.
Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning Specialists
Aware that your home has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our kind HVAC pros a call at 717-383-4479 or contact us online now. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you choose the ideal solution for your home and budget.