If you’re unsure whether your Rock Hill house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We spend a lot of time inside. In fact, we’re inside up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences may be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which can result in long-term health problems.
Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of poor IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we recommend consulting with a professional like US Air Heating and Cooling about which options are a good fit for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from common household items.
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 can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside your home.
Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help odors disappear faster.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When seeking one, make sure it’s specifically designed to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets redistributed 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 unit hooks to your HVAC equipment to give mighty filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
New homes are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time because your home is taking in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is put in your ducts to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down damaging VOCs. This equipment 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 stale indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our techs for more details on which solution is best for your residence.
Uneven Humidity
It’s important your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.
Our techs suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours in balance, think about buying a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.
Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment provides balanced humidity across your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is clear gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of unfinished combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It presents a severe health risk. In small amounts, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in large amounts.
We suggest yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is operating properly. This service allows our specialists to discover troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on each floor near bedrooms and living areas.
Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the US Air Heating and Cooling Experts
Know that your house has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which product is ideal for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at 803-220-0761 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you choose the best option for your home and budget.