Indoor air quality (IAQ) is the condition of air within a building and how it impacts individuals’ health, comfort, and productivity. The state of indoor air quality can have a profound influence on everyday life. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Individuals remain indoors for work, school, exercise, hobbies, and sleep. Unfortunately, research from the EPA has also found that the concentration of pollutants in indoor air can reach up to five times higher than outdoor air. An overview of the importance of indoor air quality can provide insight and guidance for improving the air within your residence or home.
What Factors Affect Indoor Air Quality?
Indoor air quality refers to the cleanliness and purity of air within your building or home structure. Several factors can influence the measurement of indoor air quality. These factors may include airborne pollutants and contaminants, temperature and humidity levels, ventilation, or biological factors.
Pollutants and Contaminants
Indoor pollutants include particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and tobacco smoke. Particulate matter refers to solid and/or liquid particles that are small enough to inhale and suspended in air. Volatile organic compounds are substances found in some chemicals, cleaners, or paints. In high concentrations, these compounds can affect human health. Carbon monoxide is a tasteless and odorless gas that results from the incomplete combustion of fuel. In high concentrations, it can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb oxygen and cause illness or death. Formaldehyde is a by-product of many glues and adhesives used in various furniture, carpets, and fabrics. Unfortunately, formaldehyde is carcinogenic to humans. Tobacco products impact individuals through second-hand smoke. According to the American Lung Association, second-hand smoke causes 41,000 deaths each year.
Temperature and Humidity
Higher temperatures and humidity levels can increase the concentration of pollutants indoors. Neutral indoor temperature settings range from 68-78°F, and the EPA states that indoor humidity levels should range from 30-50%. Relative indoor humidity that exceeds 60% can diminish air quality.
Ventilation
Ventilation refers to the rate at which the supply of fresh outdoor air enters the building. Proper ventilation is necessary to replace stagnant indoor air. It also helps improve indoor air circulation, diluting and removing pollutants that would otherwise remain in various rooms.
Biological Factors
Mold, mildew, and other forms of microbial growth can also lower indoor air quality. For example, mold is a microorganism that releases spores into the air. These spores are allergens that can cause illness or other problems when humans inhale them.
Why Does Indoor Air Quality Matter?
Improving indoor air quality is crucial for maintaining a high standard of living. Indoor air quality affects your personal health, well-being, and productivity. Factors that lower indoor air quality can also alter the energy efficiency of your home.
Health and Wellbeing
According to the American Lung Association, each person takes about 20,000 breaths each day. Since individuals now spend the majority of their time indoors, buildings with poor air quality can result in the constant inhalation of polluted air. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the EPA, health problems associated with poor indoor air quality can include eye irritation, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and respiratory issues.
Productivity and Performance
Cleaner indoor air can improve your daily productivity. A study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the National Institutes of Health found that even moderate concentrations of particulate matter and carbon dioxide in the room can impair cognitive function. By removing allergens and pollutants, you can complete your work or hobbies more effectively.
Energy Efficiency
The factors that affect indoor air quality can also impact energy efficiency. Proper ventilation and air circulation, filtration, and stable humidity levels all help prevent your HVAC system from overworking to maintain consistent indoor conditions. Your system will draw less power from the grid, use less energy for operation, and keep costs low.
How Can You Improve Your Indoor Air Quality?
Given the pervasiveness of toxins in modern life, exposure to pollutants can sometimes feel out of your control. However, there are steps you can take to minimize your contribution to indoor air pollutants. These include installing air purifiers and dehumidifiers, changing filters, and avoiding toxic products.
Use Air Purifiers
Air purifiers help remove airborne pollutants and allergens from your surroundings. These devices typically use a fan to draw in air as well as a filter to trap unwanted contaminants. Ask your home services professional about air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. According to the EPA, HEPA filters can remove at least 99.97% of contaminants with a size of 0.3 microns.
Change Air Filters
Dirty or clogged air filters are ineffective at removing excess dust or debris from the air. This dust ends up recirculating throughout the home and reducing indoor air quality. Experts recommend changing the air filter at least once every three months to ensure maximum performance.
Install a Dehumidifier
Relative indoor humidity should never exceed 60%. Keeping the humidity moderate helps prevent the buildup of moisture that would otherwise cause mold growth or boost the concentration of airborne contaminants. A professional can use a hygrometer to measure relative indoor humidity within the home. If levels are consistently too high, you can install a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air.
Avoid Toxic Products
Common household cleaners, paints, or furniture can all release harmful pollutants like VOCs. Try shopping for natural or non-toxic products instead. Ensure proper ventilation and air circulation to lower the risk of stagnant air in specific rooms.
What Is the Role of an Indoor Air Quality Service?
In addition to taking everyday steps to improve air quality, it is also important to invest in the expertise of a professional IAQ service. Professionals have the training and equipment necessary to ensure comprehensive improvements for your household. First, a trained professional can conduct a thorough IAQ assessment or evaluation to identify problem areas within the home. Following the assessment, the professional will then embark on a plan of action that may include HVAC system optimization, duct cleaning, air purification, and humidity control.
For example, HVAC system optimization is a process that verifies your units have the proper size and maintenance record to perform at the best of their operational ability. Duct cleaning enables a professional to remove accumulated dust, debris, and possible microbial growth from your ductwork. This helps prevent the recirculation of contaminated air through ducts, registers, or vents, thereby improving overall IAQ. A trained professional can help you choose the best style of air purifier and install dehumidifiers to maintain ideal moisture levels within the home. Finally, many professionals offer ongoing maintenance plans or monitoring services to help sustain improved indoor air quality for the long haul.
Contact Us Today
Good indoor air quality is about more than maintaining a fresh or pleasant ambiance. It can affect your health, productivity, and quality of life. But if your current indoor air quality is less than ideal, there is no need to worry. The experts are here to help. Cozy Home Services provides indoor air quality services for homes in Vacaville, CA and surrounding areas. Our team can conduct a complete home evaluation so that you begin with the best IAQ assessment and know your options.
We offer whole-home purification to eliminate contaminants and the negative effects of stagnant or stuffy air. Our team can also perform ductwork inspections and cleaning. In addition to IAQ, we offer full HVAC services for your heating and cooling system. No matter the issue, we can help. Contact Cozy Home Services for all HVAC and IAQ needs.
