Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released from a number of different items and products in your home, and threaten the health of you and other occupants. The VOCs come out as a gas, and can degrade indoor air quality, especially over long periods of time without proper ventilation.
What Are VOCs and What EmitsThem?
VOCs are the organic compounds found in chemicals that are common in your everyday life. Some of the more common sources of VOCs include oil-based paints, cleaning supplies, adhesives and ink. Your home almost certainly has some VOCs present, but as long as the concentrations stay relatively low, the danger to home occupants is minimal.
How do They Reduce Indoor Air Quality?
VOCs are harmful to health in higher concentrations, and are especially harmful for expectant mothers and newborns. If your heating and cooling system’s air filter doesn’t get inspected and changed regularly, or your home has poor ventilation, VOCs can build up, worsening indoor air quality.
How Can You Reduce VOCs?
As stated, the best way to reduce VOCs is to make sure your home has adequate ventilation, with stale indoor air regularly replaced with fresh outside air. Along with this, you can cut down on VOCs by using low-VOC latex paint, as well as only using water-based stain and finish inside your home. Storing some chemical cleaners in a garage or storage shed can further help cut down on VOCs, since they can leach into the air even if they are in storage. Finally, open a window if you plan on using chemical cleaners or pesticides indoors. Most of the VOCs will be pulled outside, reducing the overall concentration in your home.
More information about VOCs, and answers to other questions concerning indoor air quality, can be found by contacting us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We proudly service Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area