If you’re unsure whether your Norton residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, we’re inside up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside houses could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which can create long-term health problems.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent causes of poor IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we recommend talking with a expert like HCE Systems about which options are ideal for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by regular household items.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

  • Furniture
  • Carpet
  • Building materials
  • Cleaning products
  • Cosmetics
  • Air fresheners
  • Candles

When these fumes accumulate inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also result in 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 worse than the air outside.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Opening a window can help chemicals dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This system partners with your heating and cooling system to improve indoor air. When looking for a model, 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 constantly gets moved by your house’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide mighty filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

Modern houses are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to eliminate harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more information on which kind is right for your home.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s critical your house’s humidity stays even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.

Our technicians suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.

Rather than having to drag 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’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents a serious health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in big levels.

We recommend annual furnace maintenance to ensure your system is working like it should. This service allows our techs to find issues before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the HCE Systems Professionals

Know that your house has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is ideal for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 276-302-0076 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you locate the right option for your needs and budget.