If you’re uncertain whether your Phoenix home has bad 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 concerns.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most ordinary sources of poor IAQ, the problems they make and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we suggest talking with a expert like Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc about which options are best for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by regular household products.

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

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

When these vapors accumulate inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times worse than the air outdoors.

Always use the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help chemicals disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When seeking 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 recirculated by your house’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 heating and cooling equipment to deliver mighty filtration. Some types have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Newer homes are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is put in your ducts to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to wipe out harmful 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 musty indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which type is best for your house.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s essential your residence’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

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

Rather than having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers consistent humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by 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 create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It could be fatal in large concentrations.

We advise annual furnace maintenance to ensure your system is running like it should. This work allows our professionals to spot issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor close to bedrooms and living areas.

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc Pros

Know that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is a good fit for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 602-789-3315 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional assistance, we’ll help you find the ideal solution for your needs and budget.