If you’re unsure whether your Belton residence has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In 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 contaminated than outdoors, which might create long-term health problems.

Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of poor IAQ, the problems they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we advise talking with a pro like Myers Furnace Company about which solutions are ideal for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by regular household things.

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

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

When these vapors accumulate inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside your home.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help chemicals dissipate faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets moved by your residence’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide mighty filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Modern homes are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stick 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 doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your HVAC system to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to wipe out harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which kind is ideal for your house.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s essential your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too humid can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory concerns.

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

Instead of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent 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 produces a severe health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in large amounts.

We advise annual furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is operating properly. This work allows our technicians to discover problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on each floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Myers Furnace Company Professionals

Aware that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at 816-249-1619 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert assistance, we’ll help you locate the best option for your home and budget.