If you’re questioning whether your Norco and St. Charles Parish house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.
We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, we’re in a building up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside homes could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which may create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ
We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent origins of inferior IAQ, the issues they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we advise chatting with a pro like Mayeuxs AC & Heating about which options are a good fit for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released 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 fumes collect indoors, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can 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 fumes can be 2–5 times worse than the air outdoors.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help odors disperse more quickly.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This unit collaborates with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When seeking a model, ensure it’s specifically created to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets redistributed by your house’s heating and cooling system. While you can vacuum more frequently and install a better air filter, an air filtration system could be a better fit.
This unit hooks to your heating and cooling unit to provide strong filtration. Some models offer hospital-quality filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
Modern houses are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Stale odors can stick around for a greater amount of time as your house is taking in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down damaging VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out musty indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our experts for more details on which kind is right for your home.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s critical your house’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory concerns.
Our techs advise 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours steady, think over installing a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling equipment.
In place of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers consistent humidity around your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It presents a serious health risk. In little amounts, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in large amounts.
We advise regular furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is working like it should. This job allows our professionals to see troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on each floor near bedrooms and living areas.
Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Mayeuxs AC & Heating Specialists
Aware that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at (985) 764-2426 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you choose the right option for your needs and budget.