If you’re uncertain whether your Cambridge 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 residences could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which can create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most frequent causes of inferior IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we advise chatting with a pro like Pliescott HVAC Services LLC about which products are best for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes released by common household products.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these vapors accumulate indoors, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also create 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 greater than the air outside.

Always use the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help fumes disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When looking for a model, ensure it’s specifically created 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 comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more routinely and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.

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

Persistent Odors

Newer residences are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t a possibility, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

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

A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which solution is best for your house.

Uneven Humidity

It’s important your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory symptoms.

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

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 occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

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

We advise annual furnace maintenance to make sure your system is operating properly. This service allows our pros to find problems before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on every floor by bedrooms and living rooms.

Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the Pliescott HVAC Services LLC Professionals

Know that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which product is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 410-228-4822 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you find the right option for your home and budget.