If you’re uncertain whether your Cottonwood & Prescott house has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably 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 residences could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which may create long-term health problems.

Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent causes of bad IAQ, the issues they make and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we recommend consulting with a professional like Connolly Electric & Mechanical about which options are best for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

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

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

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

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help fumes disperse faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give strong filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Modern houses are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more information on which solution is best for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s critical your house’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory symptoms.

Our specialists suggest 40–50% for top 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 pull 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 equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

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

We advise annual furnace maintenance to ensure your system is running smoothly. This service allows our pros to see problems before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the Connolly Electric & Mechanical Professionals

Know that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which product is a good fit for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 928-251-4327 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you find the ideal option for your family and budget.