If you’re questioning whether your Wausau residence has bad 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 homes could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which could create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most frequent sources of poor IAQ, the issues they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we suggest chatting with a pro like Gilray Heating and Cooling about which options are best for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by regular household products.

They’re found in paint and stains as well as:

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

When these fumes accumulate inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can 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 chemicals can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Unlatching a window can help odors disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When hunting 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 redistributed by your house’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better fit.

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some types have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Persistent Odors

Newer homes are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy bill, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down dangerous VOCs. These units can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes musty indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which solution is best for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s essential your house’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory troubles.

Our specialists suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours even, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling unit.

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers balanced humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It presents a serious health risk. In low levels, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be deadly in heavy levels.

We advise yearly furnace maintenance to make sure your equipment is working properly. This work allows our pros to see troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Gilray Heating and Cooling Professionals

Know that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 715-301-0727 or contact us online now. With free estimates and professional assistance, we’ll help you find the best option for your home and budget.