
If you’re uncertain whether your Albuquerque home 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 homes could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which could create long-term health problems.
Most Common Causes of Unsatisfactory IAQ
We’ve put together a list of the most frequent origins of inferior 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 house, we recommend talking with a pro like Tru Air Systems LLC about which options are a good fit for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals leaked by everyday 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 may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside.
Always use the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help chemicals disperse faster.
Air purification systems can also better your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to freshen indoor air. When looking for a model, ensure it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continually gets redistributed 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 unit hooks to your comfort equipment to provide strong filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
Newer houses are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not so good for your IAQ.
Stale odors can hang around for a greater amount of time as your home 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 installed in your ducts to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones healthy by wiping out most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system pulls out stale indoor air and substitutes it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which kind is right for your house.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s critical your home’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.
Our specialists suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours steady, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.
Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers balanced humidity across 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 a serious health risk. In small levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in large concentrations.
We recommend annual furnace maintenance to make sure your system is operating properly. This service allows our technicians to see issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms should be on every floor by bedrooms and living rooms.
Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the Tru Air Systems LLC Experts
Informed that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our approachable HVAC professionals a call at 505-226-3525 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you choose the ideal equipment for your needs and budget.