If you’re unsure whether your Safford residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, 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 could create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common causes of poor IAQ, the troubles they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we suggest consulting with a expert like B&D Air Conditioning about which products are ideal for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

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

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

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

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

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Cracking a window can help fumes dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When hunting for one, ensure it’s specifically designed to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets recirculated by your residence’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to give powerful filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

Newer homes are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

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

An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to neutralize odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which type is ideal for your house.

Unbalanced Humidity

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

Our experts suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.

Rather than having to drag 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’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It creates a serious health risk. In small levels, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in big amounts.

We advise yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is operating properly. This work allows our pros to discover troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the B&D Air Conditioning Pros

Informed that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 928-432-6018 or contact us online today. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the right solution for your home and budget.