If you’re uncertain whether your Holdrege house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, we’re inside 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 Bad IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most ordinary sources of inferior IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we suggest consulting with a professional like Durable Service about which options are best for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by regular household products.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

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

When these vapors accumulate in your home, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause 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 higher than the air outdoors.

Always use the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help chemicals disperse faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets moved by your home’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more routinely and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.

This unit hooks to your HVAC equipment to give powerful filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

Modern homes are tightly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more information on which kind is right for your home.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s critical your residence’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory symptoms.

Our professionals suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.

In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers even humidity around your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It creates a severe health risk. In low levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be fatal in big concentrations.

We advise annual furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is working like it should. This service allows our techs to discover issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on all floors close to bedrooms and living spaces.

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Durable Service Pros

Aware that your house has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 308-995-8177 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert assistance, we’ll help you choose the right option for your family and budget.