If you’re questioning whether your Tomball residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We spend much of our time indoors. In reality, we’re indoors up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside homes can be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which may create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most frequent causes of bad IAQ, the troubles they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we suggest chatting with a expert like Premium Air Services LLC about which options are a good fit for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals leaked by everyday household items.
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 may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also create 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 outside your home.
Always use the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Unlatching a window can help fumes dissipate more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment works with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When hunting for one, check that it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets redistributed by your home’s HVAC equipment. While you can vacuum more regularly and get a better air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.
This solution hooks to your HVAC system to deliver powerful filtration. Some types offer hospital-grade filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Newer residences are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stale odors can hang around for an extended amount of time since your residence is drawing in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all year round isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to wipe out odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our technicians for more info on which kind is right for your residence.
Uneven Humidity
It’s critical your residence’s humidity stays balanced. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.
Our technicians suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC equipment.
Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even humidity throughout your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It creates a severe health risk. In small concentrations, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in heavy concentrations.
We suggest annual furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is running like it should. This job allows our specialists to find troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on each floor by bedrooms and living rooms.
Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Premium Air Services LLC Professionals
Know that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which product is a good fit for you? Give our approachable HVAC experts a call at 713-364-9957 or contact us online now. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you locate the right solution for your family and budget.