If you’re questioning whether your Norco and St. Charles Parish residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, 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 can create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common sources of poor IAQ, the troubles they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we recommend chatting with a specialist like Mayeuxs AC & Heating about which products are ideal for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by regular household products.

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

  • 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 can also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times greater than the air outdoors.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Opening a window can help chemicals dissipate faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets moved by your residence’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.

This unit hooks to your HVAC equipment to give mighty filtration. Some models offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

New residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stick around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which kind is best for your house.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s essential your home’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can create mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.

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

In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers even humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It produces a serious health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in big levels.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your system is operating smoothly. This job allows our techs to spot problems before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on all floors close to bedrooms and living rooms.

Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with the Mayeuxs AC & Heating Specialists

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