If you’re questioning whether your Lafayette home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We spend much of our time indoors. 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 can be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which can create long-term health issues.
Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most common sources of inferior IAQ, the problems they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we advise chatting with a professional like AC Sales about which solutions are a good fit for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from everyday household things.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes build up inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outdoors.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Unlatching a window can help odors dissipate more quickly.
Air purification systems can also help. This system works with your heating and cooling equipment to clean indoor air. When looking for a system, check that it’s specifically created to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets moved by your house’s HVAC system. While you can vacuum more routinely and buy a better air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.
This solution connects with your heating and cooling system to provide mighty filtration. Some kinds offer hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
New houses are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stay around for an extended amount of time because your house is taking in less fresh air. Because 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 put in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Look for one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones healthy by eliminating most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which kind is right for your house.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s important your home’s humidity stays balanced. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory concerns.
Our professionals recommend 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.
Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers balanced humidity across your residence.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is clear gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by unfinished combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It produces a severe health risk. In low concentrations, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in heavy amounts.
We suggest regular furnace maintenance to ensure your system is running smoothly. This service allows our professionals to pinpoint problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create 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 by bedrooms and living areas.
Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the AC Sales Pros
Know that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is ideal for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at (337) 234-2345 or contact us online today. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you locate the right solution for your home and budget.
