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Do Open Windows Affect Indoor Air Quality?

October 22, 2024

Last Modified: 10/22/24

Are you considering whether to open your windows during California’s mild winter to improve indoor air quality? Maintaining good air quality is essential, especially in areas like Los Angeles, where outdoor pollution can impact your health. While fresh air helps reduce indoor contaminants, opening windows can also lower indoor temperatures. This article will provide you with valuable insights on the importance of indoor air quality and practical strategies for keeping your home comfortable and healthy throughout the winter months

What Are Common Air Pollutants In Los Angeles?

Air quality is measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI), which ranges from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI, the more polluted the air is and the greater the health concern. Generally, 0-50 is considered good air quality, 51-100 is moderate, 101-150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, and 151-500 is a health concern for everyone. Cities similar to Los Angeles typically have higher pollution levels due to population size. According to the County of Los Angeles Public Health. Los Angeles county is one of the most polluted regions in the nation. However, some areas in and around L.A. maintain a “moderate” ranking on the AQI.

When considering opening windows and doors in your home, it is important to know what common outdoor pollutants may enter. Below are six criteria air pollutants regulated by the EPA, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health.

  • Particulate pollution
  • Ground level ozone
  • Lead
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Nitrogen oxides
  • Sulfur oxides

Did you know that indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air? This is due to lack of ventilation in homes and buildings. Along with outdoor pollutants, it is equally as important to know the common indoor air pollutants within homes to protect you and other residents’ health. Below are seven common indoor air pollutants in Los Angeles according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health.

  • Environmental tobacco smoke
  • Combustion pollutants
  • Formaldehyde
  • Lead
  • Pesticide
  • Radon
  • Asbestos

Understanding what pollutants are floating around your home can help direct you toward the best solution to improve your indoor air quality in Los Angeles!

Open Windows vs. Indoor Air Quality

Many homeowners enjoy opening their windows in the spring to freshen up their homes, especially when the outdoor temperatures are comfortable. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, opening windows increases air ventilation and helps remove indoor airborne pollutants coming from sources throughout your home. However, it is important to consider what outdoor pollutants may enter through the open doors and windows. Below are three factors to consider when deciding whether or not to open your windows in Los Angeles and surrounding areas this spring.

  • L.A. Air Quality
  • Allergies & Health
  • Air Conditioning System

Understanding Air Quality Challenges in Los Angeles

Before opening windows and doors in your home, we recommend checking the outside air quality. Much like the weather, air quality can change day to day. Your local weather app will identify the day’s air quality rating and is a helpful tool when determining when to freshen up your home with outdoor air.

Managing Allergies: Tips for a Healthier Home Environment

Open windows and doors can help reduce build up indoor allergens, but outdoor pollutants can have negative health effects if breathed in. Each common outdoor pollutant in L.A. listed above can present a variety of negative health effects, specifically to the lungs. If someone in your home struggles with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, it is important to consider the current outdoor air quality and how the pollutants can affect their health. Below are immediate health effects of poor air quality.

  • Irritated eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Sore/dry throat
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue

Along with immediate health effects, poor air quality can present long-term health effects such as:

  • Respiratory diseases such as asthma
  • Heart disease
  • Cancer

We recommend investing in a beneficial air quality home device, such as an air purifier or UV lights, if you plan to open your windows or have poor air quality in general. Brody Pennell proudly offers a variety of helpful air quality devices with our indoor air quality services in Los Angeles and surrounding areas!

How to Program Your AC for Health and Comfort

It is important to consider your air conditioning system before opening your windows and doors to ventilate and freshen up your home. Your air conditioner works hard to meet and maintain your home’s thermostat setting. Open windows allow the cool air to exit and warm, outside air to enter. This creates a larger workload for your AC unit, because it will continuously run until it meets the thermostat setting (which will never happen with open windows). Simply put – open windows will lead to your air conditioner using more energy and possibly leading to a unit breakdown. Additionally, the more energy your system uses, the higher your monthly cooling costs. We recommend turning off your air conditioner before you plan on opening windows and doors in your home.

Along with your air conditioning unit, we recommend considering your air filters. As air pollutants enter your home, they can clog air filters quicker than normal. Be aware of this factor when planning when to change air filters around your home to maintain good indoor air quality!

While open windows and doors can present many benefits for your home and air quality, it can also result in poor air quality and health effects. We recommend considering these three important factors before deciding whether to ventilate and allow fresh air to circulate throughout your home this spring. For indoor air quality services or air conditioner needs, give the expert technicians at Brody Pennell a call!


About The Author

Brody Pennell

Since 1945, Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning is the committed to helping homeowners in the greater Los Angeles area experience total home comfort. In 2021, the readers of the Los Angeles Times voted Brody Pennell the Best HVAC Company in the area.

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I can always trust on Brody Pennell for all my AC and heating needs. Very professional, on-time and responsive. The technician Giovanna Consuegra, was very diligent, courteous, and very knowledgeable inspecting and maintaining our AC unit and insuring is ready for the summer heat.
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Our Technician Giocanni came in and got right to work he was friendly polite and very clean. He took time to make sure he put on shoe covers to make sure he didn't track any dirt on to our carpets. He diagnosed the problem and told us in plain simple language what was the problem and what it would entail to fix it. I was extremely happy with their service
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Got here fast! In depth analysis, quick solution — work scheduled. Gio was very professional and courteous. Worked well with his supervisor. So far, great company!
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This place is one of the rare gems that lead with honesty and simplicity. I called and spoke with many HVAC servicing companies, and Brody Pennell Heating & AC was patient to read through my inspection report and speak to me about my situation. We scheduled an appointment, and they had 2 servicemen who came on time, were friendly, and taught me alot about my HVAC system and what's needed next. I would highly recommend them. There was no pushy salesman tactics at all
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Anthony, the service technician for Brody Pennell, arrived on time, was very careful and thorough in evaluating our system. He explained what was working and what wasn't working efficiently or with some risk of major problems. I recommend Brody Pennell who have dedicated employees that they send out to your home not someone on contract. I was pleasantly surprised when Anthony said someone from another department could come by the same day to talk with us about replacement options. We really wanted things working before the hot weather gets here. David was there in minutes and was able to have a crew start the next day, and they could finish in 2 to 3 days with removal of old unit and installation of a new system. I have high expectations for the installation crew to be just as professional as Anthony and David from Brody Pennell.
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I am so happy that we have stayed with Brody. This past week our AC went out. The service people from Brody have been warning us that this was going to happen so it was not unexpected. Mike I. and his team (Raul I. And Alexander V.) came to do the installation and we could not have been more pleased with their work and the final product. It was a very complex job but they completed it in a day. They explained everything they were doing and were neat and efficient. They were friendly and answered all of our questions. This is a truly great team of knowledgeable workers and deserve to be commended.
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The tech was very respectful and pleasant. Did a thorough inspection of the systems and did the required maintenance. All in all good service. Changed the motor. Allis fine.
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Misael to do the repairs that were needed on our AC and heating unit.
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Clear and informative, if sadly to tell us that our hundred year old floor furnace had met its end at last.
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Technician John M. from Brody Pennell performed a scheduled inspection of our heating and air conditioning unit. He was extremely knowledgeable and conducted a thorough and excellent assessment. His professionalism and friendly demeanor made the experience seamless. John took the time to explain his recommendations clearly, offering valuable advice on improving and extending the life of our unit. Overall, I highly recommend his service to others.
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Kevin came yesterday and today to service our heat and install an Air Scrubber! He did an awesome job. Super nice and very informed. Thanks for sending a great guy to our house.
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Alberto and Justin checked out my relatively new package unit. Thankfully they had checked the history of the unit and our home, so they knew what to expect. It was great to hear this. They clearly explained what was found, showed pictures, and presented options for a concern they found. No problems with the unit and installed a new high rated filter. Thanks guys and Pennell for hiring knowledgeable pros.
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Service was amazing. She was very professional and efficient. She had great recommendations to keep our AC/ furnace running smooth.
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John was great!
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Anthony Contreras did a thorough and professional job for me today. I appreciate his knowledge as well as his fine work ethic. Pamela James
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Giovanny Q and David Ocampo were great. Giovanny provided great service. He was very thorough in checking my system and provided great explanations of recommended work. Brody Pennell has the best technicians. I trust the work will be done right. Ask for Giovanny if you need service, you will be in good hands. Also, David was great in providing options for a new system, he did not try to oversell but provide what was needed for my square footage and usage. Fully recommend Brody Pennell, great company with great work technicians.
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Ivan Diaz provided the service and was professional and went above and beyond.
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