If you’re unsure whether your Pocatello house has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, we’re in a building 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 can create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most ordinary origins of poor IAQ, the issues they cause and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we advise chatting with a professional like Vogts Heating & Air about which products are best for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from 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 inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside your home.

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using paint or cleaning supplies. Cracking a window can help chemicals dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to enhance indoor air. When looking for a system, ensure it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This solution hooks to your HVAC equipment to give powerful filtration. Some types have hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

Modern homes are tightly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great 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 home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is placed in your ducts to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. This equipment 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 removes stuffy indoor air and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more info on which type is right for your home.

Uneven Humidity

It’s important your house’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory issues.

Our professionals suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours in balance, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.

Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers balanced humidity around your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It creates a serious health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be fatal in big levels.

We suggest yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is operating like it should. This service allows our pros to see troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms should be on every floor near bedrooms and living spaces.

Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the Vogts Heating & Air Specialists

Informed that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our approachable HVAC experts a call at 208-621-0129 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you choose the best solution for your needs and budget.