If you’re unsure whether your Frederick residence has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re in a building 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 contaminated than outdoors, which may create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of inferior IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we recommend talking with a professional like May's Heating & Air about which solutions are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from everyday household things.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

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

When these vapors accumulate indoors, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outdoors.

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

Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When looking for a system, ensure it’s specifically designed to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to deliver powerful filtration. Some models offer hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

New residences are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. As 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 put in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to eliminate harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which solution is ideal for your home.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s essential your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too humid can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory troubles.

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

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

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It causes a severe health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in heavy concentrations.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to ensure your system is working smoothly. This service allows our techs to see troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on every floor near bedrooms and living spaces.

Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the May's Heating & Air Specialists

Informed that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is right for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 301-690-0397 or contact us online today. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the best solution for your needs and budget.