If you’re questioning whether your Menomonie and western Wisconsin house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, 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 worse than outdoors, which could create long-term health issues.

Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most common origins of inferior IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we advise chatting with a expert like Halverson Brothers Inc about which products 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 along with:

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

When these fumes accumulate inside, they might 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 space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside.

Always use the manufacturer’s instructions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Cracking a window can help vapors disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When hunting for 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 constantly gets redistributed by your residence’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give strong filtration. Some kinds offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New residences are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is great for your energy bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can hang around for a greater amount of time since your home is pulling in less fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all the time isn’t a possibility, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

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

A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which type is right for your residence.

Uneven Humidity

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

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

Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers balanced humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It presents a serious health risk. In low levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in large amounts.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is running like it should. This service allows our techs to see troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on each floor by bedrooms and living areas.

Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the Halverson Brothers Inc Specialists

Know that your home has inferior air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 715-352-4052 or contact us online now. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you locate the ideal equipment for your needs and budget.