If you’re unsure whether your Elk River home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, we’re indoors 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 might create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most ordinary sources of poor IAQ, the issues they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we suggest consulting with a expert like Home Comfort Heating & Air about which products are ideal for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

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

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

Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When looking for a system, ensure it’s specifically designed to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets moved by your home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.

This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

New residences are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is put in your ducts to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to wipe out damaging VOCs. These units can also help keep your loved ones healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out musty indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two models of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which type is right for your home.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s important your home’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can create mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.

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

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

Carbon Monoxide

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

It creates an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in large concentrations.

We advise yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is operating smoothly. This work allows our professionals to find troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on all floors near bedrooms and living rooms.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Home Comfort Heating & Air Experts

Aware that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 763-276-0617 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you locate the ideal equipment for your family and budget.