Duct cleaning & air quality | Angies List, Angie’s List

Indoor air pollutants from combustion devices

If your home uses a combustion-based furnace such as natural gas-fired furnace or an oil-burning furnace, these heating systems produce pollution particles from that combustion cycle. Other heating devices such as gas stoves, space heaters, wood-burning stoves and dryers will also produce pollution particles that can affect indoor air quality.

If your homes HVAC system is installed properly and is up-to-date on maintenance or repairs, these pollution particles should be expelled from the furnace and vented through the exhaust or chimney.

However, if your homes chimney or exhaust vent are not sealed properly, combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide can enter your homes air and cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, irritation of the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose and throat, and, in the case of carbon monoxide, even death.

Controlling pollutants from combustion devices

The most effective way to control indoor air pollution from combustion or heating devices is to make sure theyre used and maintained properly. The EPA recommends that you make sure theres adequate ventilation in any area where a fuel-burning or heating device is being operated. If and when you use a heating or fuel-based device, make sure that its properly installed and up-to-date on maintenance and repairs.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from household items

According to the EPA, volatile organic compounds or VOCs are chemicals that can be commonly found in household products such as cleaning products, paints, chemical strippers, waxes and pesticides. Other in-home products that can produce VOCs that contribute to poor indoor air quality include floor coverings, furniture, electronic equipment, air fresheners and dry-cleaned clothing.

VOCs from household items can be especially hard to pinpoint as the cause of poor indoor air quality because the VOCs naturally evaporate into the air when the products are used or stored.

Controlling VOCs from household items

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Duct cleaning & air quality | Angies List, Angie's List