If you’re questioning whether your Mankato area residence has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 residences could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which might create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Bad IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most ordinary origins of poor IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your house, we recommend talking with a specialist like Northern Comfort Inc about which solutions are best for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by common household products.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

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

Always use the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Opening a window can help odors disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to improve indoor air. When hunting for a system, ensure it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets moved by your house’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better fit.

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

New residences are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy bill, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stale 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 an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork 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 household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stuffy indoor air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which kind is best for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s essential your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too humid can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

Our pros suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours steady, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution 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 units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents an extreme health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in heavy concentrations.

We advise regular furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is operating smoothly. This work allows our technicians to spot troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on every floor close to bedrooms and living spaces.

Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the Northern Comfort Inc Pros

Know that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is right for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 507-387-6596 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you locate the ideal option for your family and budget.