If you’re uncertain whether your Albuquerque residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of 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 polluted than outdoors, which might create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent sources of bad IAQ, the troubles they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re troubled by the air inside your residence, we suggest talking with a expert like I-Deal HVAC about which products are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from regular household things.

They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:

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

When these vapors accumulate indoors, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house 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 outdoors.

Always use the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Opening a window can help chemicals dissipate faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When seeking a system, ensure it’s specifically created to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

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

Lingering Odors

New residences are tightly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your utility costs, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time as your home is pulling in less fresh air. Since keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t doable, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is put in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by wiping out most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system pulls out stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more information on which kind is ideal for your house.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s critical your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can lead to mold, while dry air can create respiratory concerns.

Our technicians suggest 40–50% for top comfort. To keep yours even, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.

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

It presents an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in heavy levels.

We recommend annual furnace maintenance to ensure your system is running like it should. This service allows our professionals to pinpoint troubles before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor by bedrooms and living rooms.

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the I-Deal HVAC Specialists

Aware that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which solution is a good fit for you? Give our approachable HVAC experts a call at 505-445-1250 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and professional service, we’ll help you locate the ideal option for your needs and budget.