If you’re uncertain whether your Omaha residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. In 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 polluted than outdoors, which might create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common causes of inferior IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we advise consulting with a expert like Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning about which products are ideal for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes released by everyday household things.

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 can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.

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

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

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets moved by your residence’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.

This unit hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide strong filtration. Some kinds provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Newer residences are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is installed in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stale indoor air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more details on which kind is best for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s important your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

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

Instead 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 occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It causes a severe health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in large levels.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is running smoothly. This job allows our professionals to discover issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms should be on each floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.

Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning Pros

Aware that your home has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is right for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 402-509-5940 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you locate the best option for your home and budget.