If you’re uncertain whether your Central Point house has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably 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 houses could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which may create long-term health problems.

Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most ordinary sources of bad IAQ, the problems they make and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we advise chatting with a specialist like Titan Heating & Air Conditioning about which options are ideal for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

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

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

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

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

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help fumes disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to enhance indoor air. When seeking a system, ensure it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets recirculated by your house’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better fit.

This unit hooks to your comfort equipment to give powerful filtration. Some kinds provide hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

New houses are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

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

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out musty indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which kind is ideal for your residence.

Unbalanced Humidity

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

Our specialists suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours even, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.

Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers even humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It occurs when there’s insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents an extreme health risk. In small levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in large concentrations.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is running properly. This job allows our specialists to discover problems before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on each floor near bedrooms and living areas.

Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with the Titan Heating & Air Conditioning Professionals

Informed that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is ideal for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 541-286-6617 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional assistance, we’ll help you choose the ideal solution for your home and budget.