If you’re uncertain whether your Georgetown residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. In 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 worse than outdoors, which could create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most ordinary sources of bad IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your home, we recommend chatting with a expert like Miller Climate Control LLC about which solutions are ideal for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from common 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 indoors, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also create headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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 outdoors.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when painting or cleaning. Cracking a window can help fumes dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This system partners with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When seeking one, ensure it’s specifically made to eradicate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets redistributed by your home’s comfort system. While you can vacuum more frequently and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

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

Lasting Odors

New houses are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy expenses, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

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

An air purification system is installed in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the power to break down harmful VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

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

Unsteady Humidity

It’s important your house’s humidity stays 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 in balance, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.

Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers balanced humidity throughout 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 poses a severe health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in large amounts.

We advise yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your system is running smoothly. This service allows our professionals to pinpoint troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on each floor close to bedrooms and living rooms.

Improve Your Home’s Air Quality with the Miller Climate Control LLC Experts

Informed that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at 512-937-2001 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you choose the right equipment for your home and budget.