If you’re questioning whether your Mount Pleasant residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 homes could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which could create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most ordinary sources of bad IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we recommend chatting with a expert like Olde Towne Heating & Air about which options are best for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from regular household things.

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

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

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

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Opening a window can help odors disperse faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This equipment hooks to your comfort equipment to deliver mighty filtration. Some models offer hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New houses are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your home 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 wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to eliminate damaging VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more details on which type is right for your house.

Uneven Humidity

It’s important your house’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can create 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 HVAC system.

Instead of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It causes an extreme health risk. In small levels, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in large concentrations.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is working smoothly. This work allows our pros to pinpoint troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on all floors near bedrooms and living spaces.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Olde Towne Heating & Air Experts

Informed that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is ideal for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 843-485-0967 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the right solution for your family and budget.