Indoor Air Quality – How to Eliminate Pollutants from your House

What is your indoor air quality like?

Since you are here, we guess it probably needs some improvement. 

If it is right that you need to improve indoor air quality, you are in the right place. 

We will take you through what causes indoor air pollution. How do you detect indoor air pollutants? And most importantly, how do you get fresh air back into your house? 

Let’s get down to business. 

Indoor Air Quality Concerns 

Not long ago, the most polluted places were the industrialized cities. And if homeowners hvac systems were in great shapes with ac repaired or brand new, air quality still was not good.

However, that is slowly becoming a fact of the past. Many science researches now reveal that indoor air quality in many houses is more polluted than the outdoor air in industrialized cities. 

We know how shocking that is, but it is just the reality (1) we have right now. 

First, it may be about how many people are spending a considerable amount of time indoors. This makes it hazardous. We look at the problems of indoor air pollutants to your health. 

How Does Poor Indoor Air Quality affect your health

The reason we are discussing indoor air quality is because of how it affects our health and comfort.

Everybody is affected by indoor air pollutants. However, the most susceptible people are:

• older people, 
•  younger children, 
• allergic people, 
• Chronically ill people, 
• people with respiratory problems, 
• people with cardiovascular problems.

We are all in danger and need to protect ourselves from the dangers of poor air quality. However, we need to be super-cautious for the groups of people named above. 

Indoor Air Quality in your House

What causes poor indoor air quality?

The source that releases gas and particles into the air is poor indoor air’s primary source. However, poor ventilation can degrade air quality. This is because, with poor ventilation, there is not enough outdoor air coming indoors. This means that the indoor air pollutants cannot be diluted. The number of pollutants in your house is becoming more concentrated. 

And, with this too, polluted indoor air does not leave the house. 

Also, remember that humidity levels and temperatures can increase indoor pollutant levels. 

Indoor Air Pollutants Sources

Sources of indoor air pollution include:

• combustion sources from wood, kerosene, coal, wood, tobacco, and oil, 
• Furnishings and building materials such as asbestos-containing insulation, 
• damp carpet, 
• household maintenance and cleaning products such as air fresheners, 
• central heating and humidification equipment, 
• personal care products and toiletries, 
• pesticides, 
• outdoor air pollution 

These and even activities in the house can cause severe indoor air pollution in your home. 

Amount of Ventilation

You need to have proper ventilation in your house. 

If there is minimal outdoor air coming indoors, pollutants in your home will accumulate to dangerous levels. This will cause comfort and health issues.

However, a properly ventilated house is not a guarantee for fresh air. First, this is because some weather conditions can minimize the amount of outdoor air entering your homes. It also prevents exit of air carrying indoor air pollutants. This is how well-ventilated houses end up polluted. 

How Does Outdoor Air Enter a House?

Outdoor air leaves your house through:

• mechanical ventilation, 
• natural ventilation, 
• infiltration. 

Through infiltration, outdoor air leaves the house through:

• ceilings, 
• openings, 
• joints, 
•  cracks in walls, 
•  floors

Openings around doors and windows.

In natural ventilation, air leaves the house through opened doors and windows (2). 

There have to be temperature differences between outdoor and indoor air for infiltration and natural ventilation. The presence of wind makes the process even more efficient. 

Finally, through mechanical ventilation, some devices remove air from every room of your house. These include:

• outdoor vented fans that mechanically move air, 
• air handling systems that remove indoor air, 
• the ductwork that supports the distribution of filtered and air-conditioned air. 

The rate at which outdoor air replaces indoor air is called indoor air quality is called the air exchange rate. The exit of indoor air pollutants depends on the speed of this process. 

Identifying Indoor Air Pollution 

How do you know your indoor air is polluted. 

The easiest way to know this is to watch out for the signs and symptoms of the house inhabitants. 

However, the signs may show up immediately after exposure, or even months or years of exposure. Therefore, this may not be as straightforward. 

 The signs to watch out for: 

• eye, nose or throat irritation, 
• constant and unexplained fatigue,
• headaches, 
• dizziness.

These are often short-term and be treated easily. And it can be as simple as getting away from air pollutant exposure. 

However, in the extreme, you will notice symptoms of diseases such as:

• asthma, 
• hypersensitivity pneumonitis, 
• humidifier fever

These may depend on several factors, such as preexisting medical conditions and age. However, if you notice (3) any of the above, you check the quality of your indoors. 

However, after a long time of exposure, chances are you will experience:

• respiratory diseases, 
• cancer, 
• heart diseases. 

We urge you to keep protecting indoor air quality. You do not want to wait until you notice fatal signs and symptoms to start working on it. It may be too late for you. 

Identifying Air Quality Problems

The signs and symptoms we have mentioned above are clear indicators. And, they are a sure way for air quality problems is if you see these after moving to a new place, refurnishing or re-modeling your house. Also, watch out for signs when you treat your home with pesticides. 

 If you notice any of these, take quick steps to upgrade your HVAC system. 

Are there any signs of poor ventilation in your house? That could be a sign of poor indoor air quality. If their moisture accumulation in your house, chances are high you need to improve your air conditioning and air purification. 

Also, look for signs such as stuffiness, odors, and molds. Try to detect odors as soon as you reenter your house after spending the entire day out. 

Also, your daily activities and your lifestyle can be a clear signs. If you smoke indoors, your indoor air quality is not top tier. 

Improving Indoor Air Quality

How do we solve indoor air quality problems? How do you get back that fresh air after it is apparent that you have poor air quality?

Here are the tips on how to improve indoor air quality. 

Increase Air Circulation

The first way to solve indoor air quality (IAQ) issues is to increase the air circulation in your house. This can address several issues that lead to air pollution, such as:

• polluted and dusty air, 
• humid and stuffy air, 
• uneven temperatures. 

The blower fan on your HVAC system is responsible for the rate of air circulation. Make good use of it. 

Remember that your blower fan can only work when your heat pump, furnace, the air conditioner is on and running. This means that your HVAC system needs to be in perfect working condition to enjoy this benefit. Feel free to contact us in Santa Clarita to ensure your systems are in order. 

Your HVAC system boosting air circulation will simultaneously increase air filtration. This makes the air cleaner and friendlier for people with allergies and asthma. 

Check your HVAC Air Filters

Your air filters could be the reason your indoor air quality is poor. 

One of the top air conditioning maintenance is regularly changing air filters. It is a simple process that you could learn and do independently. However, if you are unsure about it, contact us at HVAC Santa Clarita for air conditioning maintenance. 

Here is how neglected air filters contribute to indoor air pollution:

• reduction of airflow
• bypassing harmful particles which should otherwise be filtered out of the air. 

Your filter collects a lot of dust and debris. With time, these accumulate and make it impossible for the filters to capture any more particles. This is why you should schedule regular HVAC maintenance and have your air filters changed. 

We recommend changing your air filters once or twice a month, depending on the usage. 

Also, remember that if a filter stays long in your systems, it may start releasing the captured particles back into the air. 

Schedule Regular HVAC System Maintenance 

HVAC maintenance’s primary goal is to ensure that your system is functioning well and is safe for your household. 

However, scheduling regular maintenance services and getting repairs when needed will ensure you always have top-tier air quality. 

When HVAC Santa Clarita services your system, you will forget about having to be on the watch out for any issues. Our HVAC maintenance appointments will always include:

• Thorough cleaning during furnace tune-up: we will clean all debris and dust from your furnace cabinet and blower fan. We get rid of all difficult to clear particles such as pet hair and dander in our clean-up. 
• During a heat pump or air conditioner tune-up, our HVAC technicians inspect the compressor, condenser, and evaporator coil. These parts get rid of moisture from your house. They, therefore, become thriving grounds for molds and bacteria ground. Our maintenance routine ensures we get rid of any molds that may find their way to the indoor air. 

Feel free to contact us for ductwork services too. Air duct replacements can tremendously improve your living and conditions

Invest in HVAC Indoor Air Quality Products 

Your HVAC system may be overworked. It could use some help from mechanical ventilation devices to keep the air circulating and cleaner. 

For the sake of your physical health and comfort, we recommend that you support your HVAC system with:

• dehumidifiers
• humidifier, 
• air purifiers, 
• carbon monoxide alarms, 
• UV lamps, 
• air cleaners

These will help improve the air quality even when your HVAC system is not running. 

Why Choose HVAC Santa Clarita to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Over 90% of respiratory infections are now caused by indoor air pollution. The situation can get fatal quickly if you don’t seek professional help. 

When you notice any problem or sign of indoor air pollution, reach out to your doctor for a quick diagnosis. The next step would be to contact a reliable HVAC company to get everything back in order. We offer HVAC commercial and residential services.

At HVAC Santa Clarita, we help you regain a cleaner indoor environment. This is through

• professional HVAC maintenance service to ensure proper air circulation, 
• Ensuring all parts of the HVAC systems are in good shape,
• Changing air filters and cleaning ductwork and other parts that may collect particles. 
• Watch out for any signs of air pollution such as molds and humid, 
• Investigation of whether the system is functioning well.

You will work with only highly qualified and professional HVAC contractors with us. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for any indoor air quality (IAQ) inquiries. 

Indoor Air Quality Frequently Asked Questions 

 Suppose you would love more tips to improve indoor air quality; read these FAQs. We hope that these help you learn how to always ensure fresh air in your house. 

How can I check the air quality in my home?

There are several ways to check for your indoor air quality:

• install an indoor air quality 
• test for molds in the air
• do a radon test, 
• install carbon monoxide alarms. 

What are the major indoor air pollutants?

The primary sources of indoor pollution are:

• tobacco and its products, 
• building material and furnishings such as carpet and upholstery and deteriorating asbestos,
• Personal care and household cleaning products, 
• Cooling systems, central heating and humidification devices, 
• excess moisture,
• pesticides, 
• outdoor sources such as outdoor pollution getting indoors, and radon

What is the acceptable indoor air quality?

According to the ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, the threshold is 25 ppm for 8 hours of working. However, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health gives a threshold of 35 ppm. 

How can I make indoor air quality better?

 The best methods to improve your indoor air quality are:

• Ensuring your house is well-ventilated, preferably naturally ventilated, 
• getting rid of indoor pollutants such as smoking outdoors, 
• Investing in devices that mechanically bring fresh air
• regularly maintaining your HVAC system. 

How do you improve indoor air quality in HVAC?

Your HVAC system is an asset that can single-handedly transform your indoor air quality problems. 

You, however, need to be keen on HVAC maintenance to ensure your house is well ventilated. Your air filters, blower fans and duct network should always be clean and in perfect working conditions. 

Does HVAC improve air quality?

Yes, other than just heating or cooling your house, your HVAC system can improve your air quality. The air filters capture a lot of debris in them. Secondly, they get the polluted air outside and bring in fresh air from the outside. 

Final Thoughts 

We trust that now you can detect when your indoor air quality is deteriorating. And, we know you know the steps to take when you notice your indoor air is polluted. It would help if you first got your medical checkup, as indoor air pollution has adverse health effects. Then, the next step should be to get in contact with a reliable HVAC company to get your system in order. These are a sure way to reclaim fresh air in your house. 

Sources

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality

https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/air-quality/policy/who-guidelines-for-indoor-air-quality

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/indoor-air-quality