If you’re questioning whether your Payson home has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 houses could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which can create long-term health issues.

Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most ordinary causes of poor IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we advise consulting with a specialist like North Mechanical Heating and Cooling about which solutions are a good fit for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals leaked by everyday household items.

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 can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside.

Always use the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help vapors dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling equipment to enhance indoor air. When seeking 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 continuously gets redistributed by your residence’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more regularly and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.

This unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to deliver mighty filtration. Some kinds offer hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Modern residences are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is put in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Look for one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more details on which kind is ideal for your home.

Unsteady Humidity

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

Our specialists suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent humidity around your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It causes an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in large levels.

We advise annual furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is operating like it should. This job allows our technicians to see troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor by bedrooms and living spaces.

Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the North Mechanical Heating and Cooling Experts

Know that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC pros a call at 928-263-8570 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you find the right equipment for your home and budget.