How can indoor air quality impact your health ?

How can indoor air quality impact your health and how an HVAC system may help?

A huge concern for most of the house owners these days is indoor air quality. They usually spend more time indoors lately. People tend to neglect the fact that the inside air might sometimes be even worse than what is being outside, leading to various health problems once again. Knowledge about indoor air quality and what it does to one's health is rather very important to make the place comfortable as well as safe. An HVAC system can make all the difference in creating one.

What is Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality is defined as the state of the air inside buildings and its health and comfort implications. Poor indoor air quality is brought about by many causes. Some of the causes include poor ventilation, growth of molds, presence of allergens, and presence of pollutants in all the products of the household. How Indoor Air Quality May Affect Your Health

Respiratory Problems

The most direct impacts of indoor air quality are on the health of the human body, especially the respiratory system. For instance, dust, mold spores, pet dander, and VOCs are some of the most common contaminants that cause indoor air pollution. These may lead to conditions such as asthma and allergies. The patient coughs and sneezes and other conditions related to the respiratory system. Finally, these could lead to chronic conditions in the respiratory system.

2. Psychological Status and Cognitive Capacity

There is evidence that suggests that cognitive performance and the psychological status may be impacted by IAQ. Among the usual symptoms of IAQ problems are dizziness, fatigue, and loss of concentration. Some researches proved that higher concentrations of CO2 and VOCs affected cognitive ability so much that it becomes impossible to concentrate and even take some decisions.

3. Cardiovascular Disease

Now, evidence is emerging that shows poor indoor air quality is causing cardiovascular problems. These kinds of pollutants may reach the bloodstream and result in serious heart diseases and strokes due to fine particulate matters. Good air quality prevents such risks and develops positive cardiovascular health.

4. Effects on Children and Vulnerable Populations

This section identifies the vulnerable population that would most likely be affected by indoor air quality. They include children, the elderly, and anyone suffering from some pre-existing health condition. For instance, children who are exposed to higher indoor pollutants might suffer from developmental problems or increased asthma symptoms. In this respect, the protection of such a vulnerable population is founded on the basis of a healthy indoor environment.

How HVAC Systems Improve Indoor Air Quality

First is the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system popularly known as HVAC; this system is very relevant to indoor air quality: how an effective HVAC could help 

1. Suitable Filtration

Modern air handling systems fitted with modern filters that can remove airborne particulate matter, allergens, and all types of pollutants. Filters by HEPA remove all the particulate matter, down to 0.3 microns, at 99.97% capacity. This really heightens indoor quality by means of replacement filters, use of correct ones for the respective systems, and other general steps.

2. Ventilation

Ventilation is one of the most fundamental needs for quality indoor air. HVAC exchanges the stale air in the indoors with fresh outdoor air to lower concentration levels of pollutants inside. Fabulous options for superior ventilation that still do not compromise on energy efficiency include energy recovery ventilators as well as heat recovery ventilators.

3. Humidity control

The humidity is the other critical indicator of having fantastic indoor air quality, measured at a level between 30-50%. A high humidity is generally found to promote the breeding of mold and dust mites. Low humidity tends to cause dry skin as well as breathing problems. Healthy conditions can be maintained through the humidifying or dehumidifying enabled HVAC systems within the house, by adjusting the levels of humidity.

4. Temperature Control

It would not only be pleasantly warm but also, in rendering support toward the air of interior quality. Here an air-con system would retain in stead temperature thus nullify all such conditions that create mushrooms even to prevent making it feasible for any conditions in establishing a kind that supports generating stagnating condition inside itself.

5. Preventive Maintenance

The proper functioning of your system is highly dependent on routine maintenance of your HVAC. Routine checks, changing of filters, and cleaning prevent system breakdowns and will enhance the quality of general air inside and in the surroundings of your house. Professional HVAC service helps extend the life of your system while at the same time maintaining healthy indoor air quality.

Tips for Quality Air Inside Your House

There is just a little bit more you might do to purify air inside while your air conditioner is the single greatest component affecting the indoor environment:

Use air purifiers: Place portable units throughout occupied spaces, including bedrooms, with HEPA filters.

Manage VOCs: Buy or choose household contents that have low or VOC-free stamps on the canister--paint, cleaning solvents, furnishings--in the hopes that this may lessen the out-gassing that's harmful.

Open Windows: Open windows when feasible, and let fresh air circulate, but the quality of outdoors should always come first.

Clean Constantly: Dust and vacuum on a regular basis. HEPA-filter vacuum cleaning is particularly effective against allergens.

Bring Some Houseplants: Not only can houseplants add beauty to an indoor space, but some actually purify their immediate environment by removing poisons that contaminate air, converting carbon dioxide to fresh oxygen.