Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality, or IAQ, refers to the air quality inside a building or structure. It can have a big impact on the health, comfort, and well-being of occupants, whether in residential, educational, or office settings. The effects of indoor pollutants can be felt immediately, as in the case of allergies, or years later in the form of serious respiratory issues, heart disease, and cancer. It’s as important to have fresh indoor air as it is to have clean outdoor air. Proper ventilation, air cleaning and filtration and sanitizing your ductwork help as most of us spend a lot of time indoors. Without it, the levels of indoor pollutants can reach unhealthy levels. Some pollutants are unavoidable. A means to filter them and transport them outside is therefore necessary. Also, many pollutants can become more concentrated if the temperature and humidity become high enough or if the humidity is too low and you need a humidifier. Indoor contaminants can affect people in any type of building if the appropriate measures aren’t taken.  We recommend the Air Ranger and Air Scrubber Plus as good air purification systems for your home.

Causes of IAQ issues in the home include poor ventilation, often originated from ductwork issues. Pollutants often build up from combustion sources such as oil, gas, coal, or wood burning appliances as well as certain types of building materials, insulation, and cleaning products. These can be dispersed and released outside with heat and energy recovery ventilation systems. Many modern homes are effectively sealed from outdoor air. However, without enough outdoor air, indoor pollutants can accumulate to unsafe levels. Weather conditions can also prevent outside air from reaching inside a home. Air naturally enters a house via infiltration through building openings, joints, and cracks; open windows and doors (natural ventilation); and mechanical ventilation systems. We can ensure your ducts are sealed properly which helps your cooling/heating system run more efficiently and save you money. An important aspect of ventilation systems is exchange rate; an HVAC system with a low air exchange rate can increase pollutant levels if infiltration or natural ventilation are limited.  It’s important to have your ducts professionally cleaned every 5-8 years to keep your household breathing easy.

Call us 425.296.3081 our team will help you choose the solution for the best indoor air quality in your home!