Bringing Indoor Air Quality Front and Center
According to the EPA, indoor levels of pollutants are often significantly higher than outdoor levels. And, most homes have at least one air quality problem, ranging from temperature and humidity issues to particle allergens, chemical pollutants and elevated carbon dioxide levels.
Brought on by everyday activities like cooking and cleaning, indoor air pollutants can put you and your family at risk, while generally making for a less comfortable, less efficient home. For instance, carbon dioxide levels in today’s “tight”, energy-efficient residences can quietly climb above 1,000 parts per million. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in many common household products such as cleaners, dry-cleaned clothing, ink-jet printers, pesticides and air fresheners, can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, cause difficulty breathing and nausea, and damage the central nervous system as well as other organs according to Lung.org.
Fortunately, there are a number of products on the market that are designed to enhance and improve indoor air quality through filtration, ventilation and humidity control. Many of these products can be installed by your local HVAC contractor. When you consider that Americans on average spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors according to the EPA, it’s easy to see why indoor air quality products can be an attractive addition to people’s homes.
Here’s a look at some common indoor air quality issues and products that can provide a solution:
Issue: Indoor Air Pollution
- Pollen and mold spores enter through doors and windows
- Bacteria and viruses can linger in your air
- Fine dust particles get kicked up from floors and furniture
- Dander and hair fall from pets
Solution: AIR PURIFIER
Issue: Dry Indoor Air
- Dry nasal passages
- Discomfort of dry, itchy skin
- Annoying static shocks
SOLUTION: HUMIDIFIER
ISSUE: EXCESSIVE HUMIDITY
- Airborne irritants such as dust mites and mold
- Warping or structural damage to wood flooring or home furnishings
SOLUTION: DEHUMIDIFIER
Issue: Poor Air Quality
- Stale air
- Higher than average utility costs
- Pollutants from carpet off-gassing, paint, household chemicals
SOLUTION: AIR VENTILATOR
ISSUE: CONTAMINANTS INSIDE YOUR HVAC SYSTEM CAN BECOME AIRBORNE
- Mold spores inside the cooling coil
- Bacteria and fungi inside the cooling coil
- Contaminants can become airborne and circulate through your HVAC system
SOLUTION: UV LIGHTS
ISSUE: AIRBORNE IRRITANTS TRAPPED WITHIN THE HOME
- Dust, dirt, pollen and more circulated through heating and cooling vents
- Polluted indoor air
- Damage to home furnishings
- Reduced performance of home comfort systems
SOLUTION: AIR FILTRATION
How to Read a Home for Indoor Air Quality Issues
Testing Home Air Quality
Although indoor air quality isn’t always something you can see, there may be an HVAC contractor in your area equipped to help you out. Using an indoor air analyzer, a qualified HVAC dealer can provide test results in about 30 minutes, then get right to work addressing your home’s air quality issues by recommending and installing an indoor air quality product designed to solve the problem.
