If you’re questioning whether your Hasbrouck Heights home has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 homes could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which might create long-term health concerns.
Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most common origins of inferior IAQ, the troubles they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we suggest consulting with a professional like ACE Solutions about which options are best for your family.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from 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 collect inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might 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 fumes can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.
Always use the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Cracking a window can help vapors disappear more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also help. This unit collaborates with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When looking for a model, make sure it’s specifically made to wipe out VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets moved by your house’s HVAC system. While you can vacuum more regularly and buy a better air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.
This solution connects with your heating and cooling system to provide powerful filtration. Some kinds offer hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
New homes are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stale odors can stay around for an extended amount of time because your home is taking in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.
An air purification system is placed in your ducts to neutralize odors before they recirculate. 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 normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes stale indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our experts for more details on which kind is ideal for your house.
Uneven Humidity
It’s essential your residence’s humidity keeps steady. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory troubles.
Our techs recommend 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours even, think over buying a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.
In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment gives even humidity around your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is gas you can’t see or smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It presents a serious health risk. In little concentrations, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be fatal in large amounts.
We recommend regular furnace maintenance to make sure your system is working like it should. This job allows our professionals to pinpoint troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on every floor by bedrooms and living rooms.
Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the ACE Solutions Specialists
Informed that your home has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at 201-579-2562 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you choose the best equipment for your home and budget.