If you’re uncertain whether your Richmond residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly 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 polluted than outdoors, which may create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most ordinary causes of bad IAQ, the problems they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we suggest talking with a pro like Refrigeration Systems Ltd. about which options are best for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors 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 fumes accumulate in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may 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 pollutants can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside.

Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help vapors dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When hunting for a system, ensure it’s specifically created to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to deliver mighty filtration. Some types have hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Modern houses are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they get released again. Find one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

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

Uneven Humidity

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

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

Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent 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 appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It poses a severe health risk. In little levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in large concentrations.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is running smoothly. This service allows our techs to spot issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms should be on every floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.

Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the Refrigeration Systems Ltd. Experts

Aware that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our kind HVAC pros a call at 778-693-2532 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you find the best equipment for your needs and budget.