If you’re questioning whether your Shamokin and Sunbury residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, we’re inside 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 can create long-term health issues.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most frequent sources of poor IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we advise talking with a specialist like LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. about which solutions are a good fit for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from common household products.

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

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

When these vapors accumulate in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause 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 outside your home.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help odors disperse faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets moved by your home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better match.

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

Lasting Odors

New houses are tightly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

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

An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to neutralize odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your loved ones healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stale indoor air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more info on which type is ideal for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s essential your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.

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

In place of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even humidity throughout 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 presents an extreme health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be fatal in large concentrations.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is operating properly. This job allows our professionals to see problems before they get bigger, 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 should be on every floor near bedrooms and living areas.

Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. Specialists

Aware that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC professionals a call at 570-648-0748 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you choose the right solution for your home and budget.