If you’re questioning whether your Hendersonville house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 houses could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which can create long-term health problems.

Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common causes of bad IAQ, the problems they make and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we recommend talking with a expert like Superior Comfort Systems about which solutions are a good fit for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by common household items.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

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

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help chemicals dissipate faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give mighty filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Newer residences are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

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

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which type is ideal for your residence.

Uneven Humidity

It’s essential your house’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory troubles.

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

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers balanced humidity around 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 small levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in big amounts.

We recommend regular furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is operating smoothly. This job allows our techs to see problems before they start, including malfunctions that can cause 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 all floors near bedrooms and living rooms.

Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Superior Comfort Systems Specialists

Know that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our approachable HVAC experts a call at 828-202-7025 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you find the best equipment for your home and budget.