If you’re questioning whether your Wilmington residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.
We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re in a building 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 may create long-term health problems.
Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most frequent sources of bad IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we recommend talking with a professional like Brandywine Heating & Air about which solutions are a good fit for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by everyday 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 in your home, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also result in 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 worse than the air outside your home.
Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Cracking a window can help fumes disperse faster.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling unit to enhance indoor air. When seeking a model, ensure it’s specifically created to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets moved by your residence’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.
This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to deliver powerful filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
New houses are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is put in your ducts to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to eliminate dangerous 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 pulls out musty indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two models of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which solution is ideal for your home.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s essential your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.
Our technicians suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, 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 product delivers even 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 equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It produces a severe health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in big concentrations.
We suggest annual furnace maintenance to ensure your system is working like it should. This service allows our specialists to pinpoint troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms must be on each floor by bedrooms and living rooms.
Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Brandywine Heating & Air Professionals
Know that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC pros a call at 302-261-3596 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you locate the best option for your needs and budget.