If you’re uncertain whether your Des Moines home has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly 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 residences could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which might create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Origins of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most common origins of poor IAQ, the problems they create and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we recommend talking with a professional like Heartland Heating & Cooling about which solutions are a good fit for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from everyday 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 in your home, they might irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also cause 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 higher than the air outside your home.

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

Air purification systems can also help. This unit partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When looking for one, ensure it’s specifically designed to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to deliver mighty filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Modern homes are closely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in reduced fresh air. Since 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 put in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate harmful VOCs. These units 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 pulls out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which kind is best for your house.

Uneven Humidity

It’s critical your residence’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.

Our techs suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours even, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling equipment.

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

It causes an extreme health risk. In low levels, it can cause flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in large amounts.

We recommend yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your system is operating like it should. This job allows our specialists to see problems before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms must be on all floors by bedrooms and living rooms.

Improve Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Heartland Heating & Cooling Pros

Informed that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our approachable HVAC specialists a call at 515-344-3579 or contact us online today. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you choose the right option for your needs and budget.