If you’re questioning whether your Los Angeles house has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re in a building up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside houses could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which can create long-term health concerns.

Most Common Causes of Poor IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most frequent causes of poor IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can remedy these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we suggest chatting with a specialist like AZ Air Conditioning and Heating about which options are best for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are fumes leaked by everyday household products.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

  • Furniture
  • Carpet
  • Building materials
  • Cleaning products
  • Cosmetics
  • Air fresheners
  • Candles

When these fumes accumulate in your home, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They might also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.

Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when using paint or cleaning supplies. Unlatching a window can help vapors disperse faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling equipment to improve indoor air. When seeking one, ensure it’s specifically made to wipe out VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can trigger health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets redistributed by your house’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better fit.

This solution hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to deliver powerful filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for eliminating particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

Modern houses are closely sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your utility costs, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stay around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in reduced fresh air. Because keeping your windows open all year-round isn’t doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to neutralize odors before they get released again. Search for one with a carbon filter and the capability to break down harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your loved ones healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and normal allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.

A ventilation system takes out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two types of equipment (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our professionals for more info on which kind is ideal for your house.

Unsteady Humidity

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

Our techs suggest 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours in balance, think over getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort unit.

Instead of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this solution delivers consistent humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It presents a serious health risk. In little levels, it can cause flu-like ailments like headaches and nausea. It can be fatal in big amounts.

We recommend annual furnace maintenance to make sure your unit is working smoothly. This service allows our techs to pinpoint troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

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

Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the AZ Air Conditioning and Heating Professionals

Know that your residence has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is a good fit for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 800-296-5088 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and expert assistance, we’ll help you choose the ideal option for your needs and budget.