If you’re questioning whether your Port St. Lucie residence has unhealthy 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 contaminated than outdoors, which could create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common origins of poor IAQ, the issues they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we advise consulting with a professional like Custom Air Systems Inc about which products are ideal for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors emitted from regular household things.

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

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

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

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help fumes dissipate faster.

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

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give strong filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

Modern homes are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your utility expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is installed in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by wiping out most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out musty indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which solution is right for your residence.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s critical your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can cause respiratory troubles.

Our technicians 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 system.

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

It causes a severe health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in heavy levels.

We advise yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your system is working like it should. This work allows our professionals to spot troubles before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on all floors by bedrooms and living rooms.

Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Custom Air Systems Inc Experts

Informed that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at 772-247-2283 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you locate the right option for your home and budget.