Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that evaporate or off-gas near room temperature. They can lower your home’s indoor air quality and cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches and many other symptoms. They include xylene, benzene, acetone, toluene, formaldehyde and ethanol. You can reduce VOCs in your Lafayette, Louisiana, home by using natural products, adding ventilation and storing substances that contain them carefully.
Using Natural Products
Many commercial cleaners, air fresheners, glues, paints and pesticides have VOCs. But you can avoid them by using natural products instead.
You can clean most surfaces with baking soda and water, and essential oils make great air fresheners. A few drops of tea tree oil can help you prevent biological growth, as well. You can use potpourri, bake some cookies or simmer some cinnamon sticks on your stove. Look for paints and glues labeled child-friendly or nontoxic.
Adding Ventilation
Since the volatile organic compounds in your home are gases, air filters can’t catch them. You can use ventilation to remove them along with stale or smelly air. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) works like a heat pump to transfer heat while it increases your indoor air quality. It can help you save energy, improve the value of your home and lengthen your HVAC system’s life by preventing unnecessary wear.
Store Products With VOCs Carefully
Even in containers with the caps closed tightly, the VOCs in fuel, cleaners, or other products can off-gas slowly and contaminate your home’s air. You should keep these substances in a garage or a storage shed that’s not connected to your HVAC system. Also, get rid of old containers or packages as soon as you can. As a result, you’ll help to maintain good indoor air quality.
Desormeaux’s Heating & Air Conditioning is a Trane Comfort Specialist with decades of HVAC and indoor air quality experience. We can help you reduce VOCs and other harmful substances in your home while keeping yourself and your family comfortable. For skilled, quality service from our friendly professionals, call us at (337) 282-9091.
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