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

We are indoors a lot. In fact, 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 can create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common origins of inferior IAQ, the problems they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we recommend talking with a pro like Childress Heating & AC about which solutions are a good fit for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by regular household items.

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

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

When these fumes accumulate inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outdoors.

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

Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When looking for a system, ensure it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets recirculated by your house’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better match.

This unit hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide strong filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Newer houses are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in less 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 fresher.

An air purification system is put in your HVAC system to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate damaging VOCs. These units 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 replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more details on which solution is right for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s essential your house’s humidity stays even. Air that has too much moisture can create mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.

Our technicians suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours even, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers even 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 appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It causes a serious health risk. In small levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in big concentrations.

We recommend annual furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is working like it should. This work allows our techs to spot troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms need to be on each floor close to bedrooms and living spaces.

Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with the Childress Heating & AC Experts

Aware that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is ideal for you? Give our kind HVAC pros a call at 540-675-4306 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you find the ideal equipment for your needs and budget.