If you’re unsure whether your Crystal and Twin Cities home has poor 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 houses could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which may create long-term health problems.

Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most frequent causes of inferior IAQ, the issues they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we recommend consulting with a pro like GV Heating & Air about which products are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by common household things.

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

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

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

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help fumes disperse faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This unit hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide strong filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Newer houses are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your ducts to neutralize odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more info on which kind is right for your house.

Uneven Humidity

It’s critical your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.

Our experts suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours in balance, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.

Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers consistent humidity across your house.

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 produces an extreme health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in large amounts.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your system is operating like it should. This work allows our pros to pinpoint issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the GV Heating & Air Professionals

Informed that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is ideal for you? Give our friendly HVAC pros a call at 763-535-2000 or contact us online now. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you find the ideal solution for your home and budget.