If you’re questioning whether your Kearney home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re inside up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside homes could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which could create long-term health problems.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common sources of inferior IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we advise consulting with a specialist like Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning about which solutions are ideal for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from regular household products.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

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

When these fumes accumulate indoors, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help fumes disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When looking for a model, ensure it’s specifically created to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets recirculated by your residence’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better match.

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Newer homes are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can hang around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to break down harmful VOCs. These units 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 removes stale indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which type is right for your home.

Uneven Humidity

It’s essential your home’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.

Our techs suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC equipment.

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution 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 appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It creates a serious health risk. In small levels, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in large amounts.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is operating like it should. This work allows our professionals to find problems before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on every floor near bedrooms and living spaces.

Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning Specialists

Know that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 308-624-3485 or contact us online now. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you choose the ideal solution for your needs and budget.