If you’re unsure whether your Kankakee home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it probably does.

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

Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common origins of bad IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we advise talking with a professional like Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating about which options are best for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by regular household items.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these fumes accumulate in your home, they may 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 area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times worse than the air outside.

Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Opening a window can help odors disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This unit partners with your heating and cooling system to improve indoor air. When looking for a system, 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 recirculated by your residence’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more routinely and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

This equipment hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide powerful filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

New homes are securely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy expenses, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your home is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t an option, here are two ways you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is installed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stuffy indoor air and substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more details on which kind is ideal for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

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

Our pros suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort equipment.

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers consistent humidity throughout 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 poses a severe health risk. In small levels, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in heavy amounts.

We advise yearly furnace maintenance to ensure your equipment is working smoothly. This service allows our professionals to spot issues before they start, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Improve Your House’s Air Quality with the Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating Specialists

Informed that your residence has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is ideal for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at 815-933-8213 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you find the ideal equipment for your needs and budget.