If you’re unsure whether your Des Moines residence has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We are indoors a lot. In 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 more polluted than outdoors, which can lead to long-term health problems.
Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most common sources of poor IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we recommend chatting with a professional like Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling about which products are ideal for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from common household products.
They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:
- 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 lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Unlatching a window can help vapors dissipate more quickly.
Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to clean indoor air. When seeking a model, make sure it’s specifically created to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets recirculated by your house’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and get a better air filter, an air filtration system could be a better solution.
This unit works with your heating and cooling equipment to give strong filtration. Some types offer hospital-quality filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
New houses are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your house is drawing in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open all year round isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our specialists for more details on which kind is right for your residence.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s important your residence’s humidity keeps balanced. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory troubles.
Our specialists recommend 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling equipment.
Instead of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment gives consistent humidity throughout your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It occurs when there’s incomplete combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It presents an extreme health risk. In small amounts, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be fatal in big concentrations.
We advise yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is running smoothly. This service allows our techs to find problems before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor near bedrooms and living rooms.
Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling Specialists
Aware that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 515-207-6569 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you find the ideal solution for your needs and budget.