If you’re unsure whether your Long Island home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.
We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, we’re indoors 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 may result in long-term health problems.
Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most ordinary causes of bad IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we recommend consulting with a expert like Airmax Long Island Inc about which solutions are ideal for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes 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 fumes accumulate in your home, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might 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 higher than the air outside.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help vapors dissipate more quickly.
Air purification systems can also help. This unit partners with your heating and cooling system to enhance indoor air. When hunting for a system, check that it’s specifically created to eliminate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets moved by your house’s heating and cooling system. While you can vacuum more routinely and buy an enhanced air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.
This solution connects with your heating and cooling unit to provide mighty filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
New residences are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Stale odors can stay around for an extended amount of time because your residence is drawing in less 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 HVAC system to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our specialists for more info on which kind is right for your residence.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s essential your house’s humidity remains balanced. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory concerns.
Our technicians recommend 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.
Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution provides even humidity throughout your home.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is clear 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 low levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in big amounts.
We advise regular furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is running properly. This work allows our technicians to find 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 install detectors. These alarms must be on every floor near bedrooms and living spaces.
Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the Airmax Long Island Inc Experts
Informed that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 631-737-5566 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you locate the ideal equipment for your family and budget.