If you’re unsure whether your Magnolia residence has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

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

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common causes of bad IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we suggest consulting with a expert like JTech Mechanical about which options are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes released by everyday household products.

They’re found in paint and stains as well as:

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

When these vapors accumulate indoors, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times greater than the air outdoors.

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

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling unit to improve indoor air. When hunting for a model, 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 continuously gets recirculated by your home’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more routinely and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.

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

Persistent Odors

Modern houses are tightly sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stick around for a greater amount of time since your home is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they recirculate. Look for one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out musty indoor air and replaces it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more details on which kind is best for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s important your house’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory symptoms.

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

Rather than 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 caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It poses a serious health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in heavy amounts.

We recommend regular furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is working smoothly. This job allows our specialists to spot troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on all floors close to bedrooms and living spaces.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the JTech Mechanical Experts

Aware that your house has poor air quality but not sure how to improve it? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at 281-231-8768 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you locate the ideal solution for your home and budget.