If you’re unsure whether your McKinney and Frisco residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re indoors 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 might create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common origins of bad IAQ, the problems they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we suggest consulting with a professional like Bell Mechanical Services about which options are best for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from regular household items.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

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

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

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help fumes dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also help. This unit partners with your heating and cooling system to freshen indoor air. When hunting for a model, ensure it’s specifically designed to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets recirculated by your residence’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more frequently and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.

This equipment hooks to your comfort equipment to provide mighty filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Modern houses are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can hang around for a greater amount of time because your home is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your HVAC system to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your household healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common 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 kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more details on which solution is ideal for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s critical your house’s humidity remains even. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.

Our techs suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.

In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent humidity around your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents a serious health risk. In low levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in large levels.

We advise annual furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is running smoothly. This job allows our technicians to discover issues before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the Bell Mechanical Services Pros

Informed that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our kind HVAC pros a call at 888-863-0560 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you choose the right option for your family and budget.