If you’re uncertain whether your Greater Richmond house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of 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 contaminated than outdoors, which may create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent origins of poor IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we suggest consulting with a expert like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling about which options are a good fit for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

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

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

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

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

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help vapors dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When hunting for one, ensure it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This solution hooks to your comfort equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Modern residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your house is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is put in your HVAC system to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two models of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which solution is best for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s important your residence’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

Our pros suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC equipment.

In place of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers consistent humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents a serious health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in large amounts.

We advise regular furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is operating like it should. This service allows our pros to see 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 get detectors. These alarms should be on every floor near bedrooms and living spaces.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Specialists

Aware that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is a good fit for you? Give our kind HVAC professionals a call at 804-302-6657 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional assistance, we’ll help you locate the right option for your family and budget.