If you’re uncertain whether your Michigan City home has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

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

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of poor IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we suggest consulting with a pro like Paniccia Heating & Cooling about which options are ideal for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from everyday household things.

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 might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outdoors.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Cracking a window can help vapors dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When hunting for one, ensure it’s specifically created to wipe out 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 frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.

This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide strong filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New residences are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

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

An air purification system is put in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to wipe out harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more details on which kind is best for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s critical your home’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory troubles.

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

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

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents a severe health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in large amounts.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your system is operating smoothly. This service allows our technicians to see issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

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

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

Aware 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 experts a call at 219-872-2198 or contact us online today. With free estimates and pro support, we’ll help you choose the best option for your needs and budget.