If you’re unsure whether your Mechanicsburg house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 contaminated than outdoors, which could create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most frequent causes 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 home, we advise consulting with a specialist like H & H Service Company about which products are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by everyday household things.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these vapors accumulate in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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 outside your home.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Cracking a window can help vapors disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling unit to enhance indoor air. When seeking one, ensure it’s specifically designed to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to deliver powerful filtration. Some models offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

New residences are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy costs, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can hang around for a greater amount of time since your home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Since keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your HVAC system to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to wipe out damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones 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 types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which solution is right for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s critical your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory issues.

Our specialists suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours in balance, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.

In place of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even humidity across 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 an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in big levels.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to ensure your unit is working properly. This service allows our specialists to find troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the H & H Service Company Specialists

Know that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which solution is best for you? Give our kind HVAC specialists a call at 717-220-4502 or contact us online today. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you find the right option for your needs and budget.