If you’re questioning whether your Erie home has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of 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 may create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common sources of inferior IAQ, the troubles they cause and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we advise chatting with a pro like Patterson & Stirling about which products are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from everyday household things.

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

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

When these chemicals accumulate inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside your home.

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

Air purification systems can also better your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling unit to clean indoor air. When hunting for a model, ensure it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets redistributed by your home’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

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

Lingering Odors

Newer residences are closely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more info on which solution is ideal for your home.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s essential your home’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory symptoms.

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

Rather than having to drag 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’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It creates a severe health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be fatal in large amounts.

We recommend annual furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is operating like it should. This service allows our techs to discover problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the Patterson & Stirling Professionals

Aware that your house has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 814-308-0416 or contact us online now. With free estimates and expert assistance, we’ll help you locate the best equipment for your family and budget.