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

We are indoors a lot. In 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 Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most frequent causes of inferior IAQ, the issues they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we advise consulting with a professional like Farnell Mechanical, Inc. about which products are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from regular household items.

They’re found in paint and stains as well as:

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

When these fumes accumulate inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also lead to 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 greater than the air outside.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help chemicals disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This unit partners with your heating and cooling unit to improve indoor air. When hunting for a model, ensure it’s specifically made to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets recirculated by your house’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to deliver powerful filtration. Some models offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Modern residences are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is installed in your HVAC system to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which type is right for your house.

Uneven Humidity

It’s essential your home’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.

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

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even humidity around 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 presents an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It may be fatal in big concentrations.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is working smoothly. This job allows our technicians to see problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on all floors near bedrooms and living rooms.

Improve Your Home’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 experts a call at 334-524-2458 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert assistance, we’ll help you locate the ideal option for your needs and budget.