10 Symptoms of Poor Air Quality in Your Los Angeles Home
Did you know that, on average, 90% of Americans spend their time indoors? It might seem safer indoors than outdoors, but to your surprise, the concentration of some pollutants is much higher than outside. These pollutants could be dust, mold spores, radon levels, etc. Also, if you or your family suffers from respiratory illnesses, then such conditions can worsen, especially cystic fibrosis, asthma, and lung cancer. This is why keeping your indoor air as clean as possible is essential.
Dealing with poor air quality is one challenge, but recognizing that indoor air quality is subpar is another. Poor air quality in your LA home doesn’t develop overnight; it often comes with several warning signs you might be overlooking. This blog will explore these indicators in detail, helping you proactively address air quality issues before they escalate.
Irritations, Allergies, or Respiratory Problems
One of the initial and the most alarming signs you face when your home has poor air quality is you or your family experiencing an increase in allergies, respiratory problems, or irritations. The reason behind all of this could be a range of air contaminants, such as:
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Mold spores
- Secondhand smoke
- Formaldehyde
You might notice increased sneezing, coughing, or difficulty breathing. This is the right time to investigate your home’s air quality. Sometimes, poor air quality can also worsen asthma symptoms and might trigger new allergies even if you (or your loved ones) have never had them before.
Headaches
Another cause of poor air quality is frequent headaches. If your home has poor air quality, the culprit could be various pollutants (volatile organic compounds) and poor air circulation. These inflame your sinuses due to increased irritation, leading to increased pressure in your head and a general feeling of discomfort. If the situation worsens, you or your family might also complain about frequent headaches or migraines only after staying indoors for a few hours. This can be topped up by dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.
Insomnia and Fatigue
Poor air quality hinders your everyday routine, and getting a good night’s sleep becomes quite challenging. At night, the combination of airborne irritants like pollen and dust makes breathing difficult. This leads to restlessness and makes it difficult to fall asleep, or you might experience broken sleep.
Poor indoor air quality also results in fatigue during the day, as it is hard to function without a good night’s sleep. This can make it difficult to focus on daily tasks, decreasing productivity.
Excessive Dust Accumulation
Getting your LA house dusty is quite common. But if you feel like you’re wiping down a layer of dust every day, then you could be dealing with a high number of airborne particles. Different factors like dirty air filters, poor ventilation, and other factors can result in more dust accumulation in your house. This serves as an early sign that your air quality is being compromised, and you need to get alerted. To handle this issue before it escalates, you need to check ventilation systems and clean or maybe change filters regularly. All of this helps in keeping dust accumulation at bay.
High Energy Bills
Often times, you don’t know why you are paying hefty amounts of utility bills all of a sudden and most of the times, poor air quality is the reason for it. To compensate the poor air quality, your HVAC system needs to work harder than usual. This leads to more consumption of energy and (obviously) higher energy bills.
So, if you have been noticing a high energy bills even if you haven’t made any sort of changes to your house then it is time to get air quality testing. This way you will have a better idea of the levels of airborne contaminants within the indoor air quality and how you can improve it.
Unpleasant Odors
Poor indoor air quality always leads to persistent odors. You might smell something musty or chemical-like almost every day. These odors are a clear sign of problems like mildew, mold, and other pollutants that are present in the air. So, whenever you smell something disturbing in the air, it is better to get it inspected right away. The problem at times gets fixed easily, such as by cleaning air filters or opening the windows, but it is always better to reach the root of the problem, and that you can do with air quality testing.
High Humidity Levels
Does your indoor home environment feel humid lately, or is the food in the pantry a little soggy? The humidity levels in your Los Angeles home can increase more during late summer and early fall, but it is not always because of the weather.
All of this could indicate poor air quality in your home. The humidity in your house can create a moist and warm environment that allows pollutants to thrive and grow. Again, getting an air quality test can fix your issue as it will identify the main cause of the issue and fix it right away.
Condensation on Glass Surfaces
Your windows or mirrors getting condensed every now and then could be another sign of poor ventilation and high humidity levels in your house. And both of these serve as major factors for poor air quality. So, it’s better to not ignore this and get your home tested for air quality.
Mold or Mildew Growth
The Los Angeles Department of Public Health reported a 36% increase in calls concerning residential mold issues between 2018 and 2021. Mold or mildew growth in your home is another sign of poor air quality. It is important to get more worried about these as such fungi can compromise your home’s integrity. To prevent further mold growth and to improve air quality, you must identify the source of the problem, which could be done by scheduling a professional mold inspection and taking steps to handle it further.
Unusually Stale Air
If your home’s indoor air feels stiff or old, or your home smells musty, then it might not be getting enough ventilation. This can result in a negative impact on your indoor air quality. The poor ventilation in your home can lead to higher levels of concentration of pollutants. So, if you recently noticed this in your home, then it’s time to invest in a better ventilation system that can prevent poor air quality symptoms – improving your home’s overall safety and comfort.
Conclusion
If you’re concerned about what are the causes of poor air quality, then know that primarily, air quality is caused by a combination of outdoor and indoor pollutants. Outdoor sources include vehicle emissions, industrial discharge, and pollen, which can infiltrate homes and degrade indoor air. Inside the home, household chemicals such as cleaning products, paints, and solvents release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to pollution.
Moreover, smoking indoors is a significant source of harmful pollutants while cooking and heating appliances can emit carbon monoxide and other dangerous gasses. Also, mold and mildew thrive in damp environments, releasing spores that contaminate the air. Pet dander from fur and skin flakes also adds to indoor allergens. Poor ventilation can also exacerbate these issues by trapping pollutants inside while building materials like asbestos and formaldehyde can release harmful particles over time.
However, you can always ensure the safety and health of your commercial property with Elite Commercial Inspections! Our comprehensive air quality and mold inspection services identify and address potential hazards before they become serious problems. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear—take proactive steps to maintain a safe environment for your employees and customers. Contact Elite Commercial Inspections today to schedule your air quality and mold inspection. Breathe easy, knowing your property is in expert hands!