If you’re uncertain whether your Northridge house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it possibly does.

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

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most frequent sources of bad IAQ, the issues they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your residence, we suggest talking with a pro like Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating about which options are best for your house.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are vapors released by regular household products.

They’re found in paint and stains as well as:

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

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

Always use the manufacturer’s directions when applying paint or spraying cleaning products. Unlatching a window can help fumes disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also make it better. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling equipment to clean indoor air. When seeking a system, ensure 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 continually gets moved by your home’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more regularly and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system could be a better fit.

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to provide strong filtration. Some models have hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

Newer houses are securely sealed to enhance energy efficiency. While this is good for your energy bill, it’s not very good for your IAQ.

Stale odors can stay around for a greater amount of time as your residence is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. As keeping your windows open all the time isn’t doable, here are two approaches you can make your indoor air smell fresher.

An air purification system is put in your ducts to neutralize odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power to break down dangerous VOCs. These systems can also help keep your household healthy by eliminating most bacteria and ordinary 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 models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which type is best for your residence.

Unsteady Humidity

It’s important your residence’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too humid can cause mold, while dry air can create respiratory symptoms.

Our specialists suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours steady, consider getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your comfort system.

Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers even humidity throughout your house.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is colorless gas you can’t smell. It’s a byproduct of insufficient combustion in fuel-burning equipment, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

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

We advise regular furnace maintenance to double-check your unit is working properly. This job allows our technicians to pinpoint troubles 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 install detectors. These alarms should be on all floors near bedrooms and living rooms.

Enhance Your Home’s Air Quality with the Enertek Air Conditioning & Heating Professionals

Know that your home has bad air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which product is ideal for you? Give our friendly HVAC specialists a call at (818) 727-9993 or contact us online today. With free estimates and professional support, we’ll help you locate the best option for your family and budget.