If you’re uncertain whether your Lincoln house has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably 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 polluted than outdoors, which can create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common sources of inferior IAQ, the issues they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we recommend chatting with a specialist like AW Heating & Air Conditioning about which products are ideal for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by everyday household products.

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 can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help fumes dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling system to enhance 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 constantly gets redistributed by your residence’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more routinely and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better solution.

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give powerful filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Newer homes are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stick around for a greater amount of time since your residence 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 eliminate odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down dangerous VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

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

Unsteady Humidity

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

Our experts suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.

In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers even humidity around 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 a serious health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in large concentrations.

We advise regular furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is running smoothly. This job allows our professionals to discover troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on all floors by bedrooms and living spaces.

Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the AW Heating & Air Conditioning Pros

Informed that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC professionals a call at 402-438-7992 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you locate the best solution for your home and budget.