Modern homes are well sealed to keep heating and cooling indoors. While this improves energy efficiency, inadequate fresh air, indoor contaminants and nonstop recirculation can lead to problems.
Don’t worry, though, because Contra Costa Heating & AC can help you have an energy-efficient home that’s also comfortable. Our services include an air quality audit, air duct cleaning and products to help improve indoor air quality in The Bay Area, California.
Call us at 510-343-9841 today to start refreshing your home’s indoor air quality.
Clues Your Home Has Poor Indoor Air Quality
Is your home healthy? It might not be as fresh as you think. Pollution can be two to five times more concentrated indoors versus outdoors, as stated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Indoor air contaminants floating with your home’s air could result in headaches and allergy flareups. And mold and mildew can provoke a number of health concerns.
Health Problems
While these symptoms can be a result of other issues, they may also be indicative your home is struggling with indoor air quality (IAQ) problems. This is particularly true if you feel normal again while you’re not home.
- Dry eyes, nose, throat or skin
- Headaches and sinus pressure
- Fatigue
- Allergies or asthma symptoms that are more severe than normal
- Coughing and sneezing
- Dizziness or nausea
Environmental Problems
An outdated heating and cooling system will sometimes be contributing to indoor air quality problems, especially if it’s unable to filter air, control humidity or keep temperatures stable.
Here are several other signs you might need to improve your indoor air:
- Too much static or mold growth
- High quantities of dust
- Stuffy or musty odors
How Can I Prevent Indoor Air Quality Problems?
Preventing indoor air quality problems is fairly simple with the following 10 simple tips:
- Request an indoor air quality audit with Contra Costa Heating & AC. We’ll examine areas that affect air quality, such as humidity, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Then we’ll walk you through concerns we come across and how you can resolve them.
- Clean on a regular basis to reduce dust mites, which can aggravate allergies and asthma.
- Do what you can to get rid of secondhand smoke.
- Use a whole-home filtration system to get rid of odors, rather than masking them with air fresheners or scented candles. The pollution includes chemicals that can trigger headaches or aggravate respiratory conditions.
- Ventilate gas-burning appliances, including stoves and water heaters, up and out.
- Keep your home’s humidity levels comfortable with a humidifier or dehumidifier, based on your needs. Put humidity under 50% to impede mold and mildew spores.
- Test your home for radon. Long-term exposure to this invisible radioactive gas is the leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers, according to the EPA. You can get a radon test kit online or reach out to your state radon program for details on discounted or free kits.
- Utilize a ventilation system to exchange contaminated indoor air with fresh outside air.
- Find natural cleaning and painting materials that are low in or free of VOCs. Excess levels of VOCs can irritate symptoms for family members with respiratory illnesses.
- Place carbon monoxide detectors right outside bedrooms.
Start Cleaning Your Air Today with Contra Costa Heating & AC
With a full roster of professionals and indoor air quality solutions, Contra Costa Heating & AC can help your family breathe much easier. Call us at 510-343-9841 or contact us online today to begin.
