If you’re uncertain whether your Boynton Beach residence has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly 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 may create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most common origins of bad IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we recommend consulting with a expert like A2Z Air Inc about which products are a good fit for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by common 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 may 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 space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outdoors.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help odors disperse faster.
Air purification systems can also help. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When looking for one, ensure it’s specifically designed to eliminate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets moved by your residence’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better solution.
This unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give powerful filtration. Some types have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
New houses are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Musty odors can hang around for a greater amount of time because your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t an option, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more details on which type is right for your house.
Uneven Humidity
It’s important your residence’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.
Our techs suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours even, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.
Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers balanced humidity throughout 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 causes an extreme health risk. In low levels, it can cause flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It may be fatal in large amounts.
We recommend regular furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is operating smoothly. This work allows our professionals to pinpoint troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on each floor close to bedrooms and living areas.
Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the A2Z Air Inc Experts
Informed that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which product is ideal for you? Give our approachable HVAC experts a call at 561-270-6228 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you choose the best option for your home and budget.