The average American spends almost 87% of their time indoors, including at home, work, or school. Young children, older adults, and those with health conditions spend even more time indoors and are at risk when exposed to poor indoor air quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that indoor air pollutants may be 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor ones.
Poor indoor air quality can put your and your loved one’s health at risk. Sources of indoor air pollutants include dust, debris, and pet dander, which is made worse by an HVAC system’s air circulation. Auto traffic, construction, and smoke that gets in through windows and doors also impact indoor air.
America First Plumbing and HVAC provides indoor air quality services in Los Angeles. We can establish the dangerous levels of pollutants in your home and make recommendations to improve indoor air quality.
Indoor Air Quality in Los Angeles
Although your HVAC system has filters, maintaining indoor air quality requires more than a filter. An ordinary filter captures only a fraction of pollutants in your home, and air fresheners won’t give you much results either. You need a solution that will enhance the comfort of your home.
Our experts at America First Plumbing and HVAC will visit your home upon your call to evaluate your Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). We can provide solutions and recommendations after finding your IAQ score.
We can clean the ducts, install air purifiers and other IAQ features, and address issues that affect indoor air comfort levels and health.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
Indoor pollutants that release gas or particles into the air are the primary causes of indoor air quality problems. Indoor air pollution can occur from many sources, including household cleaners, building materials, and biological pollutants like pet dander or dust mites.
Here is a list of common pollutants of indoor air quality:
- Mold and moisture
- Biological contaminants—sources include pollen, skin flakes from household pets, and protein from the urine of rats and mice
- Secondhand smoke and aerosols
- Indoor microbiome like fungi, viruses, and bacteria
- Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) released by paint, varnish, wax and fuel
- Carbon monoxide—sources include leaking chimneys, gas stoves, and unvented kerosene heaters
- Indoor particulate matter is generated through cooking, the use of fireplaces, cigarette smoking, and kerosene heaters
How We Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Los Angeles Home
Our experts apply various techniques and recommendations to improve your indoor air quality.
Control Allergens:
Eliminating allergens like dust, mold, and dust mites will improve overall air quality in your home. Our experts can vacuum the air conditioning duct system to prevent dust and pet dander from circulating in your home. Alternatively, they can remove or replace carpets where mold is growing.
Evaluate Your Heating Systems:
Gas-powered heating systems can release more carbon monoxide, which can expose your loved ones to suffocation and death. We can assess the risk and make recommendations, such as direct-vent appliances. Alternatively, solar and electric heating options could enhance the indoor air quality of your home.
Testing the Air Quality:
The best way to protect the health of your loved ones is to test the air quality in your home. Our indoor air quality experts use air quality monitors to detect and measure pollutants in your home.
Improve Ventilation:
We can change filters in your heating and cooling systems. The experts can also examine the air ducts and ensure they’re clean and unobstructed to prevent dust build-up.
Make Recommendations:
We can offer expert recommendations, including installing an air cleaner. An air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter can complete other tactics for eliminating pollutants.
Health Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality
The health effects of poor indoor air quality include:
- Irritation of nose, eyes, and throat
- Fatigue, dizziness, and headaches
- Heart diseases, cancer, and respiratory diseases
Here are a few health complications linked to poor indoor air quality:
Poor indoor air quality can worsen asthma, cause it in healthy people, and increase the risk of respiratory infections. For instance, pet dander can trigger asthma symptoms in people allergic to pets.
Pet dander contains proteins that can cause an allergic reaction. People with lung disease are at a greater risk.
Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by exposure to the Legionella bacterium. It is primarily associated with buildings with poorly maintained air conditioning units or heating systems.
Poor indoor air quality can contribute to the presence of Legionella bacteria within a building’s plumbing system. The bacteria thrive and disperse into the air as water droplets. When people inhale the infected air, they become susceptible to the legionnaire’s disease.
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in the blood. When the body replaces oxygen in the red blood cells with carbon monoxide, it can lead to severe tissue damage or death.
While some health conditions are attributed to specific indoor pollutants, experts believe that the conditions continue to evolve. Scientists believe there is a ‘sick building syndrome’ where occupants develop similar symptoms when dwelling in a particular building.
Interestingly, the symptoms disappear or diminish once they leave the building. These symptoms are attributed to a variety of indoor air issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality?
If you notice issues like musty odors, wood warping, chipping paint, or high energy bills, it may be time to call an indoor air professional.
What Should I Do If I Suspect Mold Growth in My Home?
Consult a professional if you or someone in your home experiences allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or skin irritation near a suspected mold area. An indoor air quality professional may help if mold is behind walls and hidden regions like ducts.
Take Control of Your Indoor Air Quality—Call Us for Expert Solutions!
When you invest in indoor air quality, you can sleep better, protect the health of your loved ones, and enjoy better productivity. You can take control of your indoor air quality by speaking to America First Plumbing and HVAC.
Our experts provide industry-leading solutions to remove and prevent allergens and harmful pollutants from your home.
Contact us online or call us now to experience the difference.
