If you’re uncertain whether your Mission Viejo home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely 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 houses could be 2–5 times more contaminated than outdoors, which might create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Bad IAQ

We’ve made a list of the most common sources of bad IAQ, the troubles they create and how you can fix these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your house, we suggest talking with a specialist like 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning about which solutions are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals emitted from everyday household products.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

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

When these vapors accumulate inside, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They can also lead to 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 greater than the air outdoors.

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

Air purification systems can also make it better. This unit partners with your heating and cooling system to clean indoor air. When seeking a system, ensure 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 continually gets moved by your home’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 unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to give powerful filtration. Some types offer hospital-level filtration for getting rid of particles and bioaerosols.

Lasting Odors

New houses are securely sealed to boost energy efficiency. While this is fantastic for your heating and cooling costs, it’s not very good 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 doable, here are two methods you can make your indoor air smell cleaner.

An air purification system is placed in your ductwork to eliminate odors before they recirculate. Look for one with a carbon filter and the ability to break down harmful VOCs. These systems 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 substitutes it with crisp outdoor air. There are two kinds of units (heat recovery and energy recovery), so check with our professionals for more information on which kind is right for your house.

Unbalanced Humidity

It’s important your house’s humidity remains even. Air that’s too moist can lead to mold, while dry air can lead to respiratory concerns.

Our technicians 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 heating and cooling system.

Instead of having to drag a humidifier from room to room, this product delivers balanced humidity across your house.

Carbon Monoxide

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

It creates a serious health risk. In low levels, it can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches and nausea. It could be lethal in big levels.

We suggest regular furnace maintenance to double-check your system is operating properly. This job allows our pros to find issues before they get bigger, including malfunctions that can cause carbon monoxide leaks.

The best method to keep your home free of carbon monoxide is to install detectors. These alarms should be on each floor by bedrooms and living areas.

Enhance Your House’s Air Quality with the 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning Specialists

Informed that your home has poor air quality but not sure how to enhance it? Or unsure which option is right for you? Give our approachable HVAC pros a call at 949-204-0859 or contact us online now. With free estimates and expert support, we’ll help you locate the ideal equipment for your needs and budget.