If you’re unsure whether your Cambridge house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, we’re indoors 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 can create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most ordinary causes 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 house, we recommend talking with a specialist like Pliescott HVAC Services LLC about which solutions are best for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

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

They’re found in paint and stains as well as:

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

When these vapors accumulate indoors, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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 outdoors.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Cracking a window can help vapors dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This unit partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When seeking a model, ensure it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

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

Lingering Odors

Modern residences are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your house is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t an option, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is put in your ducts to eliminate odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more information on which solution is ideal for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s important your house’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

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

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers balanced humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It produces a severe health risk. In little levels, it can lead to flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in big amounts.

We recommend regular furnace maintenance to ensure your system is running properly. This job allows our technicians to spot issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms should be on each floor near bedrooms and living areas.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Pliescott HVAC Services LLC Specialists

Know that your home has bad 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 410-228-4822 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you find the best equipment for your needs and budget.