Everyone today is exposed to many inevitable risks in their everyday life. But there are some risks in our life which can be avoidable and poor home air quality is one of them. We all are familiar with air pollution and its influence on our health. But most of the people think that air pollution can cause ill effects to them only because of polluted outdoor air. That’s not true. Air pollution can have a negative impact on your health because of the poor quality of indoor air as well. Air is one of the element it with every one of us have in common. Therefore, we have to make sure the air we consume is of good quality. We cannot control the quality of outdoor air, but we still have some control over the indoor air quality. We are also provided with the option of measuring and regulating the indoor air quality of our home to maintain the health and safety of residents.
Importance of clean indoor air
According to research findings of EPA, 50% of the American spends most of the time Indoors where foreign matter, dust, and dirt is 3 to 5 times more than the outdoors. Air pollutants found in your home are responsible for causing severe health issues. Though the effects of poor quality air at home cannot be seen in the short run, it can be a health hazard and responsible for causing severe damage to health in the long term.
Symptoms of poor air quality
There are a lot of signs that one can see after the immediate effect of air pollutants, including severe headache, sinus congestion, and cough. But most of the people are not able to detect the primary cause behind the symptoms. Late effects that can be noticed from air pollution are more severe and fattal, especially to those who are more vulnerable, including older people and children with weak immune systems. Also, delayed effects are so dangerous that there are no signs associated with them until it becomes too late to react. Therefore, it is highly essential to ensure good quality air in a home, and this is possible only if you properly maintain your HVAC system.
Ways to find that the HVAC System damage Indoor Air Quality
When the HVAC system is designed, installed, and maintained correctly, it improves the indoor air quality and offers comfort to the homeowners. However, HVAC systems are known to deteriorate the air quality if appropriately desired, and the maintenance is lacking.
- Humidity nearby air-conditioned spaces
The two significant purposes of air conditioning systems include cooling the air and maintaining humidity at a comfortable level. However, there are several air conditioning systems which are controlled based on temperature only. And when the air conditioning system is significant, then the required temperature is reached quickly. However, no time is left for the removal of humidity effectively. The coalition of high humidity and low temperature can cause discomfort to the occupants. Also, it negatively affects the productivity of commercial buildings and can lead to several health disorders.
- Extreme deviations in air temperature
Another factor that can cause discomfort is variations in the air temperature. This can be responsible for effecting both heating as well as air conditioning system. Generally, there should not be any drastic change in the temperature, but this can be a possibility if heating and cooling unit are more significant than the required size.
Also, oversizing of the heating and cooling equipment can result in temperature fluctuation, which is further responsible for poor indoor humidity control. This can have a detrimental effect on our health and can reduce the productivity in office buildings as well.
Ways in which HVAC system degrade Indoor sir quality
There are many ways in which HVAC systems can be held responsible for deteriorating the indoor air quality:
- Growing of dust, allergens, and other harmful substance in the air.
- Cooling and heating the air unreasonably. Also, when the air is blown at excess speed, it can tend to cause thermal inconvenience.
- Too moist or too dry air generally causes distress and probably health issues. Therefore, inadequate air humidity is also responsible for declining air quality at home.
What is regarded as poor air quality?
AQI is the acronym of air quality index, which reveals the status of major air pollutants. It tells which contaminants are in higher numbers and can cause dangerous air pollution. The index ranges from 0 to 500 and the pollutant with the intensity above 300 suggests unsafe air quality. The indoor air quality standards set by EPA is 100. This is standard has been set to protect the health of the public.
Variables that make up indoor air quality
Many natural and dangerous chemicals openly found throughout the home and workplace. One can opt for simple options like maintaining proper cleaning and using safe cleaning products for improved indoor air quality. Also, by increasing ventilation in the house, you can lower down the collection of hazardous pollutants, but again it will increase the energy cost. You must know that the problem of poor indoor quality is deeply rooted and require professional help. Only a professional can identify and act on the issue. A complete home energy audit will help in identifying areas where there is a maximum collection of dust and pollutants. Once detected, the professional will also provide you some feasible solutions.
Everyone knows that indoor air quality is extremely detrimental, so it is essential to assess the present state of your place. Taking some actions toward improving the indoor air quality reveals that you care about the health and safety of people you love and care about. There are many ways to improve indoor air quality, and every human being must adopt the methods as early as possible.
Ways to improve indoor air quality
- Buying Air Filters
Both businesses and homeowners use Air filters. The essential tools which help in cleaning the air in your building. You must keep on changing your filter every month. It becomes important for improving the quality of air as well as for the individuals who have allergy issues.
- Professional Carpet Cleaning
Most people are not aware that many pollutants rest on the carpet. Therefore, you must do regular vacuuming of your carpet. But this does not mean that you try doing this thing on your own. You must take professional cleaning help for extra form of cleaning.
- Furniture Cleaning
Many people think that furniture needs cleaning only when there is any odor coming from it. Your furniture can absorb dirt, dust, germs, and pollutants. You must keep your upholstered furniture regularly. Which can be the best way to improve indoor air quality at your place.
- Air Purifier
Air purifiers are available in different shapes and sizes in the market. These machines can be easily plugin to the wall, and it starts purifying the heir of the area where it is kept. Even individuals with allergy issues can get benefit from the use of this machine.
- Healthy Humidity
It is essential to maintain a balance of humidity in-home and at offices. Healthy humidity level is 30 to 50%. If the area in which you are living does not have a healthy humidity level, dust mites, and mold can grow there. Monitoring the humidity in your homes and businesses will help in improving indoor air quality.
- Air Conditioner Drip Pans
Air conditioners have drip pans where water is stored. With time it can cause several problems. Therefore it is essential to empty the pan regularly as it can give way to mold. This is also helpful in improving air quality.
- HVAC Preventative Maintenance
Your HV AC units must be maintained regularly. This step is essential because when the heating and air conditioning systems are not supported, the collection of dust and debris takes place, causing some malfunction in the units. It is, therefore, a healthy requirement to make preventive maintenance of your systems at least once a year.
Final Thought
After reading everything mentioned above, the importance of having good quality indoor air must be evident. Also, the symptoms of poor indoor air quality are discussed. Further, the discussion is made on how HVAC systems degrade the quality of air in your home and at the workplace. However, every problem has a solution, and so poor indoor air quality can be improved. The things you can do on your own must be done first, and after that, you must call professionals for the remaining task. Especially for heating and air conditioning installation and repair in New York, you must take the help of professional technicians.