Poor Indoor Air Quality? Causes & Solutions
Indoor air quality affects your health, comfort, and sleep. Many homes have air that's 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air due to poor ventilation, dirty ducts, and lack of filtration.
Signs & Symptoms
Possible Causes
- -Dirty or inadequate air filters
- -Dusty ductwork
- -Poor ventilation
- -High humidity (mold growth)
- -Household chemicals and VOCs
- -Pet dander accumulation
- -No air purification system
- -Outdoor pollutants entering home
DIY Troubleshooting Steps
Try these steps before calling a professional (unless it's an emergency):
- 1Replace HVAC filter with higher MERV rating
- 2Open windows when weather permits
- 3Use exhaust fans in kitchen and bath
- 4Remove or reduce chemical products
- 5Vacuum frequently with HEPA vacuum
- 6Add houseplants for natural filtration
When to Call a Professional
- !Persistent allergy symptoms despite cleaning
- !Visible mold in ducts or HVAC
- !Ducts haven't been cleaned in 5+ years
- !Want whole-home air purification
- !Humidity problems (too high or low)
- !Strong odors from HVAC system
Estimated Repair Costs
Diagnostic: $89-$150
Minor Repair: $200-$500
Major Repair: $1,000-$3,000
Filter upgrades are minor. Whole-home purifiers and duct cleaning are larger investments.
Prevention Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my home so dusty?
Excessive dust often comes from leaky ductwork pulling in attic dust, low-quality filters, or dirty ducts distributing accumulated dust. A duct inspection can identify the source.
What's the best air filter for allergies?
For allergy sufferers, we recommend MERV 11-13 filters or a whole-home HEPA filtration system. Standard fiberglass filters (MERV 1-4) don't catch small allergen particles.
Need Help?
Our technicians can diagnose and fix this issue. Same-day service available.
* 15+ Years Serving the Bay Area
* Same-day diagnosis available
* Upfront pricing
Related Services
Related Problems
Poor Indoor Air Quality Repair Near You
Experiencing Poor Indoor Air Quality?
Our expert technicians can diagnose and fix this issue quickly.
Call (650) 397-7060