If you’re uncertain whether your Auburn and Opelika home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, 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 contaminated than outdoors, which might create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most ordinary origins of poor IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we advise chatting with a specialist like Farnell Mechanical, Inc. about which products are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by regular household things.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these fumes accumulate inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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 instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help fumes dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to enhance 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 home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New houses are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time because your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is installed in your ducts to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to break down dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which solution is best for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s critical your house’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory symptoms.

Our specialists suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours in balance, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.

Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers balanced humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It produces a severe health risk. In low levels, it can cause flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in big levels.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to make sure your system is operating properly. This work allows our professionals to see troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms need to be on each floor by bedrooms and living rooms.

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Farnell Mechanical, Inc. Professionals

Know that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 334-524-2458 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you find the best solution for your needs and budget.