If you’re unsure whether your Laguna Niguel home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.
We are indoors a lot. In fact, we’re indoors up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside residences could be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoors, which can lead to long-term health concerns.
Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ
We’ve made a list of the most common origins of inferior IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your home, we suggest consulting with a pro like Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating about which options are best for your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors leaked by common household things.
They’re found in paint and stains along with:
- Furniture
- Carpet
- Building materials
- Cleaning products
- Cosmetics
- Air fresheners
- Candles
When these chemicals collect inside, they can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your residence is in a rural or industrial location, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside.
Always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Unlatching a window can help chemicals disperse more quickly.
Air purification systems can also help. This unit works with your heating and cooling unit to freshen indoor air. When seeking a system, check that it’s specifically created 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 moved by your residence’s HVAC system. While you can vacuum more frequently and get an improved air filter, an air filtration system may be a better match.
This solution connects with your comfort system to provide strong filtration. Some types provide hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.
Persistent Odors
Newer houses are tightly sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling expenses, it’s not very good for your IAQ.
Stale odors can hang around for an extended amount of time since your house is taking in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t a possibility, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell fresher.
An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to wipe out odors before they are redistributed. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to eliminate damaging VOCs. These systems can also help keep your loved ones healthy by wiping out most bacteria and common allergy triggers like pollen and mold spores.
A ventilation system takes out musty indoor air and substitutes it with clean outdoor air. There are two types of systems (heat recovery and energy recovery), so call our techs for more info on which type is ideal for your residence.
Unbalanced Humidity
It’s important your home’s humidity remains steady. Air that’s too moist can cause mold, while dry air can cause respiratory troubles.
Our experts advise 40–50% for the best comfort. To keep yours even, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.
In place of having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers consistent humidity across your house.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is clear gas you can’t smell. It’s caused by insufficient combustion in fuel-burning units, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.
It poses a serious health risk. In little amounts, it can create flu-like sickness like headaches and nausea. It can be lethal in big concentrations.
We advise annual furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is operating smoothly. This job allows our specialists to see troubles before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
The best approach to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms must be on all floors near bedrooms and living rooms.
Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating Pros
Know that your house has inferior air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is best for you? Give our friendly HVAC experts a call at 949-317-4175 or contact us online today. With free estimates and expert service, we’ll help you locate the best equipment for your needs and budget.