If you’re unsure whether your McKinney and Frisco house has bad 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 homes could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which may create long-term health problems.

Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent sources of bad IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we recommend chatting with a pro like Bell Mechanical Services about which options are a good fit for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by 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 fumes accumulate inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.

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

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When looking for one, 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 constantly gets moved by your house’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more regularly and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.

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

Persistent Odors

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

Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is placed in your ducts to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the capability to eliminate damaging VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and ordinary 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 check with our professionals for more info on which solution is right for your house.

Uneven Humidity

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

Our techs suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours in balance, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC unit.

In place of having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution 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 units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It poses a serious health risk. In little levels, it can lead to flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It could be deadly in big concentrations.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to ensure your system is working properly. This job allows our specialists to find issues before they start, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms must be on every floor by bedrooms and living areas.

Enhance Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Bell Mechanical Services Specialists

Know that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is ideal for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 888-863-0560 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional assistance, we’ll help you find the right solution for your needs and budget.