If you’re unsure whether your Saint Louis house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 more contaminated than outdoors, which can create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most frequent causes of bad IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we suggest consulting with a expert like Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating about which options are best for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by common household things.

They’re found in paint and stains as well as:

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

When these vapors accumulate indoors, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help fumes disappear faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to deliver mighty filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Newer houses are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy costs, 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. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your loved ones healthy by wiping out most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which kind is best for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s critical your residence’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory troubles.

Our professionals suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours in balance, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even 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 produces a severe health risk. In small levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in large levels.

We advise yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is working properly. This service allows our specialists to pinpoint issues before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on all floors close to bedrooms and living spaces.

Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with the Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating Experts

Aware that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at 314-262-4541 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you choose the ideal equipment for your home and budget.