If you’re uncertain whether your Libertyville home has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, we’re inside 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 may create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most frequent sources of poor IAQ, the problems they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we suggest talking with a pro like TopTec about which solutions are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from regular household items.

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 cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial location, 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 instructions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Cracking a window can help chemicals dissipate faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This unit hooks to your HVAC equipment to give mighty filtration. Some models offer hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Newer houses are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your home is pulling in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is put in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stale indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more details on which solution is ideal for your home.

Unsteady Humidity

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

Our pros suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC equipment.

In place of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this equipment 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 creates a serious health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in large levels.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to make sure your system is working properly. This work allows our professionals to spot issues before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms must be on each floor by bedrooms and living spaces.

Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the TopTec Specialists

Aware that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 847-362-0262 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you choose the right equipment for your needs and budget.