If you’re uncertain whether your Elk River 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 residences could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which could create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most common origins of poor IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we suggest talking with a specialist like Home Comfort Heating & Air about which solutions are best for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals leaked by regular household products.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

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

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

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help fumes disperse faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously 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 HVAC equipment to deliver mighty filtration. Some kinds offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New homes are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stick around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down dangerous VOCs. These units 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 replaces it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more details on which type is right for your residence.

Unbalanced Humidity

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

Our pros suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours steady, 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 equipment delivers balanced humidity around your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It poses an extreme health risk. In low levels, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in large levels.

We recommend annual furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is working smoothly. This service allows our pros to spot troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms need to be on all floors by bedrooms and living areas.

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Home Comfort Heating & Air Professionals

Know that your house has bad air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 763-276-0617 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you choose the ideal solution for your home and budget.