The quality of indoor air is often two to five times worse than what you’ll encounter outside. Americans also spend a majority of their lives indoors. Poor indoor air quality affects everything from health to HVAC performance, so it’s important to know what you can do about it.
Dust and Other Particles
Some of the sources of poor indoor air quality are fairly predictable. Dust, pollen, and pet dander are all fairly common in households. They also tend to be some of the easier problems to address since standard HVAC filters handle them well enough. Even if your system doesn’t address these problems well, you have the option to install a system with HEPA filters that will capture finer particulate matter.
Pathogens
Homeowners often mistakenly believe that pathogens are a problem for life outside the house. You should be aware, however, that homes tend to trap bacteria and viruses. HEPA filters help, but the best solution is often a UV light system. Light in the UV-C band is highly destructive to the DNA and RNA of pathogens. This prevents them from reproducing and improves your house’s indoor air quality. Especially during the respiratory disease season, UV light filtration in your HVAC does a lot of good to limit disease transmission.
Mold
Mold is another major culprit. It can irritate your respiratory system and eyes. Likewise, mold collects inside air ducts and HVAC equipment, significantly reducing their effectiveness. HEPA filters and UV light filtration help a lot, but the best solution is to not let mold grow in the first place. Adding a dehumidifier to your HVAC will keep the relative humidity indoors below 50%, the target for limiting mold growth and maximizing comfort.
Volatile Organic Compounds
The products in your home could also harm your health. A wide range of common household products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Products like hairspray, non-stick materials on frying pans, natural gas, paints, cleaning goods, and even fabrics release VOCs. These are chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene. You will even find VOCs used to treat the wood that makes up your house.
Keeping up with VOCs in your home requires a more advanced approach. UV light can break down some VOCs, and activated charcoal filters work very well. Properly maintaining your HVAC also makes a difference. Systems like boilers and furnaces release more chemicals when they’re operating inefficiently. Ventilation is another difference maker. Keeping a steady flow of fresh air coming in and dirty air exhausted goes a long way toward improving indoor air quality.
Pollen
People think of pollen as an outdoor problem that they run indoors to avoid. However, pollen finds its way into homes through doors, windows, and even HVAC intakes. It drives allergic reactions that range from a runny nose to chronic coughing. Most HEPA filters can trap pollen well enough to significantly reduce allergic reactions.
Dry Air
Especially when winter hits, dry air can also be an indoor air quality problem. Dry air often occurs in households that run heating systems heavily, but winter weather can perpetuate dry air through lower humidity levels, too. People experience dry skin and eyes. Individuals with serious respiratory issues may also react to dry air.
Humidification is often the answer. The target humidity level to prevent dry air is 30%. Given the swings in weather we experience in the Hudson Valley, we often tell homeowners to consider having both a humidifier and a dehumidifier to strike the right balance.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the sneakier indoor air quality issues. It tends to accumulate in houses with poor ventilation. High CO2 levels can reduce cognitive function, leading to fatigue and brain fog.
WK Mechanical, Inc. serves Middletown, NY and surrounding communities in the Hudson Valley. We offer fast and reliable HVAC services, and our technicians are experienced, licensed, and certified. Likewise, our company provides manufacturer-approved services from major HVAC brands like Lennox, Mitsubishi Electric, and Bosch.
Work With the HVAC Pros!
We welcome inquiries from residential and commercial customers. You can also expect us to quote a competitive price for any project. If you’re planning to install indoor air quality equipment, ask about the financing options that are available upon credit approval. Our customer service is available 24/7 to handle your questions.
If you have concerns about indoor air quality in a home in Middletown or elsewhere in the Hudson Valley, contact WK Mechanical, Inc. today.
