If you’re questioning whether your Lawrence residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly 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 houses could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which could create long-term health issues.

Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent causes of poor IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we suggest chatting with a specialist like Scott Temperature about which solutions are ideal for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by 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 vapors accumulate inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside your home.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Unlatching a window can help odors disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to improve indoor air. When looking for one, ensure it’s specifically designed 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 improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.

This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to give strong filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New homes are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can hang around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because 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 HVAC system to eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down dangerous 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 takes out musty indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which kind is ideal for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s critical your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too humid can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.

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

Instead of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It presents a serious health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in heavy amounts.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to make sure your system is operating properly. This work allows our pros to spot problems before they start, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the Scott Temperature Pros

Informed that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is ideal for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 785-269-0465 or contact us online now. With free estimates and expert assistance, we’ll help you locate the ideal option for your family and budget.