If you’re questioning whether your Florissant and St. Charles residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 contaminated 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 bad IAQ, the problems they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we suggest chatting with a pro like B & B Heating & Cooling about which options are ideal for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked 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 vapors accumulate inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals 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 disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling unit to clean indoor air. When hunting for a system, ensure it’s specifically created to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets moved by your home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better solution.

This unit hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Modern residences are securely sealed to boost 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 since your home is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to eliminate harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your loved ones healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which type is best for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s important your residence’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too humid can create mold, while dry air can cause respiratory troubles.

Our professionals suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours even, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.

In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It produces a severe health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in big levels.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is operating smoothly. This service allows our pros to find troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on every floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.

Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the B & B Heating & Cooling Pros

Informed that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is right for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 314-325-7552 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional assistance, we’ll help you choose the right solution for your home and budget.