If you’re uncertain whether your Des Moines home 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 might create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most ordinary origins of poor 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 home, we advise talking with a expert like Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling about which products are a good fit for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals leaked by everyday household products.
They’re found in paint and stains as well as:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these vapors accumulate indoors, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help vapors dissipate faster.
Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When looking 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 redistributed by your home’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.
This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to give mighty filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
New homes are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your loved ones healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more details on which type is ideal for your home.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s essential your residence’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory troubles.
Our pros suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours even, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.
Instead of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this product 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 causes a serious health risk. In small levels, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in large amounts.
We recommend regular furnace maintenance to double-check your system is operating properly. This work allows our techs to discover problems before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on every floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.
Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling Professionals
Informed that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our kind HVAC professionals a call at 515-278-2900 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you find the right solution for your home and budget.