If you’re questioning whether your Los Angeles house has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.
We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re inside up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences may be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which could lead to long-term health issues.
Most Common Sources of Poor IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most ordinary origins of inferior IAQ, the problems they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we advise talking with a pro like AZ Air Conditioning and Heating about which solutions are ideal for your house.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals leaked by everyday household products.
They’re found in paint and stains in addition to:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these fumes collect in your home, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these chemicals can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when painting or cleaning. Opening a window can help chemicals dissipate more quickly.
Air purification systems can also make it better. This system works with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When hunting for one, check that it’s specifically made to eradicate VOCs.
Dust and Pet Dander
Dust and pet dander can aggravate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it constantly gets recirculated by your house’s comfort unit. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better match.
This unit works with your heating and cooling equipment to give strong filtration. Some types provide hospital-quality filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Lasting Odors
New homes are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.
Stuffy odors can hang around for a greater amount of time because your home is taking in less fresh air. As keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.
An air purification system is installed in your ducts to neutralize odors before they are redistributed. Find one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate harmful VOCs. This equipment can also help keep your family healthy by getting rid of most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system removes stale indoor air and exchanges it with fresh outdoor air. There are two kinds of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our specialists for more information on which kind is right for your house.
Unsteady Humidity
It’s essential your house’s humidity stays steady. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory symptoms.
Our pros advise 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours in balance, consider installing a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your HVAC system.
Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this equipment gives consistent humidity across your residence.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of unfinished combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It poses an extreme health risk. In low levels, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It may be fatal in heavy concentrations.
We suggest annual furnace maintenance to ensure your system is operating smoothly. This job allows our specialists to spot problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.
The best method to keep your residence free of carbon monoxide is to put in detectors. These alarms need to be on every floor by bedrooms and living rooms.
Better Your House’s Air Quality with the AZ Air Conditioning and Heating Experts
Know that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our kind HVAC experts a call at 800-296-5088 or contact us online right away. With free estimates and pro assistance, we’ll help you locate the ideal option for your family and budget.