If you’re uncertain whether your New Castle residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

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

Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most ordinary sources of bad IAQ, the problems they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we advise chatting with a specialist like Central Heating & Plumbing about which solutions are a good fit for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by 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 vapors accumulate indoors, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside.

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

Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to enhance indoor air. When hunting for a system, ensure it’s specifically designed to wipe out 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 routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better fit.

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give strong filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

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

Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in less fresh air. Because 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 ducts to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to break down damaging VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stale indoor air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more details on which type is best for your home.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s critical your residence’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

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

In place of having to drag 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 equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It causes a severe health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in heavy levels.

We advise annual furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is operating smoothly. This service allows our specialists to discover troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on all floors close to bedrooms and living areas.

Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Central Heating & Plumbing Pros

Informed that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 724-401-1843 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you find the best option for your family and budget.