If you’re unsure whether your Norco and St. Charles Parish home has unhealthy 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 polluted than outdoors, which can create long-term health problems.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common origins of poor IAQ, the troubles they cause and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we advise chatting with a pro like Mayeuxs AC & Heating about which products are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals leaked by common household things.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these vapors accumulate in your home, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside your home.

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

Air purification systems can also better your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling system to enhance indoor air. When seeking a model, ensure it’s specifically made to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets moved by your home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.

This solution hooks to your comfort equipment to give mighty filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Newer homes are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t a possibility, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is installed in your HVAC system to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by eliminating most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

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

Unsteady Humidity

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

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

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It presents a serious health risk. In low levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in big concentrations.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is working like it should. This work allows our specialists to spot troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Mayeuxs AC & Heating Experts

Informed that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at (985) 764-2426 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you choose the ideal option for your family and budget.