Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of the air in enclosed structures, particularly occupied buildings such as homes and offices. Controlling air quality is critical to ensuring the health of these buildings’ occupants. In this blog, HVAC and roofing repair expert Hader discusses the three main aspects that affect IAQ.
Ventilation
A modern enclosed structure tends to accumulate indoor air pollutants, which come from a variety of sources. One of these is volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that come from various household materials such as paint, plastics and aerosols. VOCs are dispersed through a process known as off-gassing, which can happen over the course of several years. Other types of known indoor air pollutants include secondhand smoke, carbon monoxide and mold.
Many of these indoor air pollutants linger as particles in the air; therefore, they can be dispersed with proper ventilation, which is achieved by opening at least two windows in a room. One works as the exhaust vent, the other the intake vent. Doing this for 15 minutes a day will help keep indoor pollutant levels at a minimum. Regularly cleaning or replacing your HVAC filters can also aid in trapping indoor air pollutants more efficiently.
Humidity
Indoor humidity levels should be kept below 50% to inhibit the growth of mold and mildew. A hygrometer can be used to measure indoor humidity levels. Based on how sharply indoor humidity levels can shift through the seasons, you may need to have indoor humidifiers and dehumidifiers installed. These devices can be integrated into existing HVAC systems, and certain types are even compatible with smart home systems.
Air Purification
Certain types of buildings might not allow for efficient ventilation, or perhaps the outdoor air in the vicinity is not as clean as it should be. In such circumstances, an air purifier can process indoor air to ensure a constant supply of clean air. It filters very small particles that are normally not caught in HVAC system filters, including germs and bacteria. Air purifiers are typically standalone units, but like humidifiers/dehumidifiers, certain types work with existing HVAC and smart home systems.
Call Hader for Your HVAC and Indoor Air Quality Needs
Hader offers a wide selection of HVAC services, including humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air purifiers. Give us a call at (513) 612-9201 or fill out our contact form.
