IAQ Bell Gardens, CA
What is IAQ? How important is it?
Indoor air quality is a frequently overlooked aspect of HVAC systems. While many recognize the importance of good air quality, few delve into what defines it and what signifies poor air quality. Shockingly, the EPA estimates that indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air, contributing to nearly 50% of illnesses. If you find yourself falling ill more often, your indoor environment may be the culprit. Ventilation quality naturally deteriorates over time, with dust and debris accumulating, and the wear and tear on your HVAC system can decrease its efficiency. This results in reduced cooling or heating output due to duct blockages or inadequate maintenance.
How Harmful is poor air quality?
Poor indoor air quality can have a detrimental impact on both short-term and long-term health. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 3.8 million people die annually due to health issues linked to subpar indoor air quality, leading to conditions like heart disease, cognitive impairments, and cancer. Several external factors, including building quality, outdoor air conditions, humidity levels, and chemical pollutants in commercial areas, contribute to this problem. It’s crucial to prioritize and regularly assess indoor air quality, as it often gets neglected or overlooked for extended periods when it should be a primary concern.
Numerous harmful chemicals are present in our living spaces, originating from various sources such as paint and wood furniture. It’s crucial to remain aware of these potential hazards when maintaining our homes for the well-being of ourselves and our loved ones. The fact that most of these chemicals are invisible heightens the threat, as it’s easy to underestimate the harm they can inflict on the air we breathe. Below, you’ll find a list of these harmful elements and the long-term damage they can cause. When multiple elements coexist within the same environment, the indoor air quality deteriorates significantly. Let’s explore these elements below:
Allergens
The substances that can trigger the immune system, causing allergic reaction. They can circulate within the air and remain on carpets or furniture if left unkept or uncleaned.
Asbestos
Fiborous material formerly used for making incombustible or fireproof building materials. The materials within asbestos can release fibers into the air which are often not noticeable or visible. These are known to be a harmful human carcinogen.
Carbon Monoxide
A very common, odorless & toxic gas that is found in fumes from burning multiple things, most commonly within the household anything utilizing gas. Fireplaces, grills, furnaces, stoves, all qualify. Venting helps combat the harmful gas that is emitted this way.
Formaldehyde
A chemical found in compressed wood and furniture, cabinets, flooring, and certain fabrics. Also found in adhesives and paints, it is also a carcinogen harmful to the human body.
Lead
Naturally occurring metal that has been used in a variety of products including gasoline, paint, plumbng pipes, ceramics, solders, batteries, and cosmetics.
There are other elements such as mold, radon, and smoke among others that can create hazardous environments for your air quality. That is why it is imperative that you are aware of what can go wrong with your system and remain prepared for the threats that may be looming. How can you achieve this? Regular checkups on your HVAC unit are a great start – having professionals that look at AC and furnace units every day take a look at your system twice a year can do great wonders for the health and safety of your home in the long run. It also does not need to be on that cadence of twice a year, that is just the minimum recommendation. If you are experience and awkward scents, headaches, drowsiness or anything abnormal, it is best to get a technician to check it out.
Enter: Omni Air HVAC
With our elite knowledge of the HVAC industry, Omni Air HVAC is equipped to get you an honest assessment of your home environment, and recommend the appropriate steps to get everything completed for the safety of your home or business. Trust the certified specialists that are operating within the Bell Gardens, CA area with managing the quality of your home. Minimize the everyday risk of respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and more with the appropriate diagnosis and service. We understand the importance of indoor air quality, and recommend at the minimum having a maintenance plan so that it becomes more of a set and forget situation to have it maintained. However, if you do feel your current situation needs an assessment we will gladly inspect the current quarters that you have and provide you with an honest reading. Contact us today (714)-813-0584 today and we will get you taken care of.