If you’re uncertain whether your West Columbia home has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

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

Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common sources of poor IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we suggest chatting with a pro like Tri City Fuel & Heating about which products are a good fit for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by common household things.

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

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

When these chemicals accumulate indoors, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can 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 worse than the air outside.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help fumes disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to improve indoor air. When hunting for one, ensure it’s specifically made to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets redistributed by your home’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 solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to give strong filtration. Some models provide hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New houses are closely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

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

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they get released again. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate dangerous VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out musty indoor air and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more details on which solution is right for your home.

Uneven Humidity

It’s essential your house’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.

Our technicians suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours in balance, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.

In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers balanced humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents a serious health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be fatal in big amounts.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is working properly. This work allows our pros to pinpoint issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the Tri City Fuel & Heating Professionals

Aware that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our kind HVAC professionals a call at 803-265-4208 or contact us online today. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you find the right solution for your needs and budget.