Homes in Sacramento, CA can experience a high concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in their indoor air. These VOCs are chemicals that can spread through the air from things such as chemical-based cleaning products, air fresheners, soaps, beauty products, scented candles, new carpet, new furniture, paint, building materials, and more.

Ongoing exposure to these VOCs can cause a wide array of symptoms, such as headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, stomach issues, and more. Exposure to high concentrations of VOCs can even put you at an increased risk of developing cancer. Let’s take a look at how you can use your residence’s HVAC system to help filter out volatile organic compounds and other particulate matter from your indoor air.

Traditional Filtration Issues

Your HVAC system is likely equipped with a very basic fiberglass or pleated filter that requires replacement once every 30 to 90 days. This filter is designed to trap particulate matter from the air that is circulating through your system. This includes things like pet dander, dust, mold spores, and pollen. While these filters can do a very good job of reducing allergy symptoms and improving the quality of your indoor air, they’re not very effective at removing volatile organic compounds.

Using Activated Carbon

One of the best ways to remove volatile organic compounds from your indoor air is to upgrade your HVAC filtration to include activated carbon filters. There are traditional pleated filters that are combined with carbon. You can also find carbon filters that combine with your traditional filter for added purification.

Activated carbon works through the process of chemical absorption. The porous cells of these filters absorb the chemicals, allowing cleaner air to circulate through your home. Just make sure that you’re changing your filters regularly for the most optimal results.

Whole-House Air Filtration and Purification

You’re probably familiar with the standalone air purifiers that plug into the wall and can be moved from one room to another. While these units can work quite well, they don’t address your home as a whole. Also, they are bulky, noisy, and look unattractive in your home. We can install a whole-house air purifier as part of your HVAC system. Many of these units can remove volatile organic compounds from your indoor air. This process will filter all the air that is circulating in your home, not just a few rooms. It’s also a much quieter and low-maintenance option for maintaining healthy indoor air.

Using Adequate Ventilation

While your HVAC system itself may not always be able to remove all VOCs from your indoor air, it can help circulate the air in your home. Combined with various methods of ventilation, you can utilize this process to improve your indoor air quality. Other methods of ventilation include running your exhaust fans frequently. You likely already have these fans installed in your kitchen and bathrooms. You should strive to run them when you are cooking or bathing. This helps to remove excess humidity from the air. Moisture tends to hold on to VOCs more, increasing your exposure.

Exhaust fans can also help promote a healthy exchange of air between the outside and inside of your home. If ventilation is a concern of yours, we can assess your home to see if additional equipment may need to be installed in areas like your attic or living spaces.

UV Light Technology

Many homes that have a whole-house air purification system installed also utilize UV light technology. Installed onto your HVAC system as well, UV-C light can remove VOCs. While it can’t destroy the compounds, UV-C light can use photocatalytic oxidation to remove them. This is a process of irradiating nanoparticles with UV light, so they are broken down and rendered harmless.

This is a very simple mechanism that requires very minimal maintenance. It’s also very effective at removing various bacteria, viruses, and pathogens from your indoor air. If you’re prone to spreading illness around your home during cold and flu season, this is an indoor air quality (IAQ) investment worth considering.

Other Methods of Removing VOCs

Your HVAC system is a key component of maintaining healthy indoor air, but there are other improvements you can make to reduce VOC exposure.

Incorporate Plants Into Your Home

There are several different types of houseplants that can help to purify the air in your home. Varieties like the peace lily, aloe vera, weeping fig, banana plant, and bamboo palm are all easy to take care of and filter out VOCs. Situate houseplants throughout the home, especially in frequently used living spaces.

Choose Low-VOC Materials

If you’re going to have construction or remodeling work done in your home, strive to find “green” materials that contain minimal chemicals. These products may still contain chemicals, but they tend to off-gas for a shorter period and have a lower VOC concentration.

Consider “green” alternatives if you’re buying new furniture, cleaning products, paint, etc. Luckily, there are a lot of healthier alternatives out there these days that can help you protect your indoor air quality.

Cleaning your home can be completed using natural items. A mixture of vinegar and water can disinfect and sanitize naturally without the need for harsh chemicals. If you’re looking to freshen the smell of your home, you can use essential oils rather than chemical fragrances.

Open Your Windows

If the air quality outside is relatively healthy and safe, open your windows for a bit each day. Even if it’s only for 15 to 20 minutes, this promotes a healthy exchange of air that can reduce VOC accumulation inside. If pollen is a concern, levels tend to be lowest in the very early morning hours or late in the evening.

Chemical Storage

If you must store any kind of paint or chemicals that are needed for your home or property, try to find a location for them outside. This can include your garage or shed. Even if the containers are closed, there can still be some off-gassing that comes from the containers. You want to avoid this happening in your living spaces.

Contact Us Today

If you would like to learn more about volatile organic compounds and how they can affect your health, reach out to our team here at Huft Home Services. We can perform an indoor air quality assessment to see what kind of contaminants and particulate matter are in your indoor air. We will make recommendations for ways to improve your IAQ. This can include the installation of a whole-house air purification unit or upgrading your filters.

Other services that we offer include the installation, repair, and maintenance of all heating and cooling equipment. We also offer plumbing services for heat pumps, tankless water heaters, drains, pipes, sewers, water filtration equipment, and more. Our electrical services include but are not limited to new wiring, surge protection, breaker panel expansion, and EV charging. Contact Huft Home Services to schedule an appointment today.

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