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

Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common origins of bad IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we advise consulting with a specialist like TopTec about which products are ideal for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

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

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 may also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence 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 outside your home.

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

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling unit to enhance indoor air. When seeking a model, ensure it’s specifically created to eradicate 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 home’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better solution.

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide mighty filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

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

Musty odors can hang around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more details on which type is ideal for your home.

Uneven Humidity

It’s critical your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.

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

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

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It creates a severe health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be fatal in heavy levels.

We advise regular furnace maintenance to make sure your system is operating properly. This service allows our specialists to discover issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms need to be on all floors by bedrooms and living rooms.

Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the TopTec Professionals

Informed that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at 847-362-0262 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert assistance, we’ll help you find the right equipment for your needs and budget.