If you’re questioning whether your Tucson house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably 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 houses could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which can lead to long-term health issues.
Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most ordinary sources of inferior IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we recommend consulting with a specialist like Ambient Air about which options are ideal for your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by everyday household items.
They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these chemicals build up in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside.
Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help fumes disappear more rapidly.
Air purification systems can also improve your air. This unit works with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When looking for a system, check that it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets redistributed by your residence’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more routinely and get an enhanced air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.
This equipment hooks to your comfort equipment to give mighty filtration. Some types have hospital-grade filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.
Lingering Odors
New homes are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Musty odors can stick around longer because your home is taking in reduced fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Look for one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate damaging 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 removes musty indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more information on which solution is ideal for your residence.
Uneven Humidity
It’s critical your house’s humidity keeps balanced. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory symptoms.
Our techs advise 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours even, think over installing a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.
Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution provides even humidity around your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of incomplete combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It causes an extreme health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in big amounts.
We advise regular furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is running smoothly. This job allows our specialists to pinpoint troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms must be on all floors close to bedrooms and living spaces.
Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Ambient Air Pros
Know that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 520-357-4912 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you locate the best option for your needs and budget.