If you’re uncertain whether your Bend 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 residences could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which might create long-term health issues.

Most Common Origins of Bad IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most ordinary causes of inferior IAQ, the problems they cause and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we recommend talking with a professional like Tri County Climate Control LLC about which options are ideal for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from common household items.

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

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

When these chemicals accumulate in your home, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also lead to headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.

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

Air purification systems can also better your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to enhance indoor air. When looking for a system, 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 constantly gets redistributed by your home’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more regularly and install an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better match.

This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide mighty filtration. Some kinds have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

New houses are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is great for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stay around for a greater amount of time because your house is pulling in reduced fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is put in your ducts to eliminate odors before they get released again. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate damaging VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and ordinary 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 types of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which kind is ideal for your residence.

Uneven Humidity

It’s important your residence’s humidity keeps even. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory symptoms.

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

Rather than having to lug 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 causes a severe health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in large amounts.

We suggest annual furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is working properly. This job allows our specialists to pinpoint problems before they begin, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms need to be on all floors close to bedrooms and living spaces.

Better Your Residence’s Air Quality with the Tri County Climate Control LLC Experts

Know that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is best for you? Give our kind HVAC professionals a call at 541-238-2797 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert assistance, we’ll help you choose the right option for your needs and budget.