If you’re questioning whether your Santa Clarita house has unhealthy indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. In reality, 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 worse than outdoors, which could create long-term health issues.

Most Common Origins of Poor IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common sources of inferior IAQ, the problems they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about the air inside your house, we advise consulting with a professional like Verona HVAC about which solutions are best for your family.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from everyday 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 inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also result in headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial area, an EPA study found indoor levels of these fumes can be 2–5 times greater than the air outside your home.

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

Air purification systems can also improve your air. This system partners with your heating and cooling unit to enhance indoor air. When hunting for a system, ensure it’s specifically designed to eliminate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

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

This equipment hooks to your HVAC equipment to give powerful filtration. Some types have hospital-level filtration for removing particles and bioaerosols.

Lingering Odors

New residences are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your energy bill, it’s not ideal for your IAQ.

Musty odors can stick around for a greater amount of time since your house is pulling in a smaller amount of fresh air. Because keeping your windows open throughout the year isn’t an option, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell better.

An air purification system is placed in your HVAC system to wipe out odors before they get released again. Look for one with a carbon filter and the power 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 pulls out stuffy indoor air and exchanges it with crisp outdoor air. There are two models of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so ask our professionals for more details on which solution is ideal for your house.

Uneven Humidity

It’s essential your home’s humidity stays even. Air that’s too moist can create mold, while dry air can create respiratory symptoms.

Our techs suggest 40–50% for ideal comfort. To keep yours in balance, think about getting a whole-home humidifier or whole-home dehumidifier with your heating and cooling system.

Rather than having to pull a humidifier from room to room, this equipment delivers balanced 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 appliances, like gas heating systems, water heaters or fireplaces.

It creates an extreme health risk. In little levels, it can create flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It can be deadly in heavy amounts.

We recommend regular furnace maintenance to double-check your equipment is operating smoothly. This work allows our professionals to pinpoint problems before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can create carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your house free of carbon monoxide is to get detectors. These alarms need to be on each floor close to bedrooms and living areas.

Better Your Home’s Air Quality with the Verona HVAC Pros

Aware that your residence has inferior air quality but not sure how to make it better? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our kind HVAC pros a call at 818-306-3387 or contact us online now. With free estimates and pro service, we’ll help you locate the right option for your family and budget.