If you’re uncertain whether your Moline house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, 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 worse than outdoors, which can create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most frequent origins of bad IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we recommend consulting with a expert like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning about which solutions are best for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by 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 fumes accumulate inside, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help chemicals disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This unit partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When looking for a model, ensure it’s specifically created to eradicate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets moved by your residence’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.

This unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to deliver mighty filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

Newer houses are closely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your home is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is placed in your ducts to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to eliminate harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out musty indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which solution is best for your residence.

Uneven Humidity

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

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

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers consistent humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It creates an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can lead to flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It may be fatal in large concentrations.

We advise regular furnace maintenance to ensure your system is operating smoothly. This job allows our technicians to discover troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Freed Heating & Air Conditioning Specialists

Know that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is ideal for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 309-323-9584 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional assistance, we’ll help you choose the best equipment for your home and budget.