If you’re uncertain whether your Marshalltown home has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably 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 can create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common sources of inferior IAQ, the issues they make and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we recommend chatting with a pro like Kapaun & Brown about which options are best for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from everyday household things.

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

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

When these chemicals accumulate in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times worse than the air outdoors.

Always use the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Opening a window can help vapors disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to improve indoor air. When hunting for a system, ensure it’s specifically created to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets redistributed by your home’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.

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

Persistent Odors

Modern residences are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is put in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to eliminate dangerous VOCs. These units 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 stale indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which kind is right for your house.

Uneven Humidity

It’s critical your home’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

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

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

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It creates a severe health risk. In little levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in big amounts.

We suggest yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is working smoothly. This job allows our professionals to pinpoint troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Kapaun & Brown Specialists

Aware that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 641-812-2028 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you choose the best solution for your home and budget.