If you’re unsure whether your Highlands Ranch residence has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, 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 may create long-term health issues.

Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ

We’ve compiled a list of the most ordinary causes of inferior IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your home, we suggest chatting with a professional like PS Cool Heat about which solutions are a good fit for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes emitted from 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 vapors accumulate in your home, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your home 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 adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when painting or cleaning. Unlatching a window can help chemicals disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to improve indoor air. When seeking a system, ensure it’s specifically made to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This unit hooks to your HVAC equipment to deliver powerful filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Modern houses are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not so good for your IAQ.

Stuffy odors can stick around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because 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 placed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they recirculate. Search for one with a carbon filter and the power to eliminate damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system removes stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more info on which solution is best for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s essential your home’s humidity keeps even. Air that has too much moisture can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory issues.

Our experts suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours steady, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC system.

Rather than having to lug a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers even humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It produces a serious health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It may be lethal in heavy amounts.

We suggest yearly furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is working smoothly. This work allows our pros to pinpoint problems before they start, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best approach to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms should be on every floor close to bedrooms and living areas.

Better Your House’s Air Quality with the PS Cool Heat Experts

Informed that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which solution is best for you? Give our approachable HVAC professionals a call at 720-613-2210 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you choose the right equipment for your needs and budget.