If you’re unsure whether your Crystal and Twin Cities house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly 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 worse than outdoors, which may create long-term health problems.

Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most ordinary sources of bad IAQ, the problems they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we advise talking with a expert like GV Heating & Air about which options are best for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

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

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these vapors accumulate indoors, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also lead to 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 higher than the air outside.

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

Air purification systems can also better your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When looking for a system, ensure it’s specifically made to eradicate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets recirculated by your home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

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

Lingering Odors

Modern residences are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stick around for a greater amount of time since 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 ductwork to eliminate odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more information on which type is best for your home.

Uneven Humidity

It’s important your residence’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.

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

Instead of having to lug 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 caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It produces a severe health risk. In low levels, it can cause flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It could be fatal in big levels.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is running like it should. This job allows our pros to spot issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can create 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 spaces.

Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the GV Heating & Air Professionals

Aware that your house has bad air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 763-535-2000 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you find the right solution for your home and budget.