Indoor Air Quality

Why is knowing about the indoor air quality of your home important? Because, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American spends about 90% of his/her time inside (65% at home) where air pollution is often 2 to 5 times greater than outdoor air.

These are some of the causes of poor indoor air quality:

• Biological pollutants (animal dander, mold, dust mites, insect parts, bacteria or viruses, pollen).
• Household cleaners, paints, pesticides, floor polishes, and hobby supplies.
• Emissions from carpets, walls, gas stoves, fireplaces, and other building materials.
• Inadequate ventilation.

Electronic Air Filters

Air filtration products can purify indoor air by eliminating many of the pollutants that cause health-related problems. The most effective whole-house air filtration system on the market today is Trane CleanEffects Clean Air System. This claim has been tested by experts from LMS Technologies and verified by professors from the Harvard School of Public Health. Benefits of the Trane CleanEffects Clean Air System are the following:

• Removal of up to 99.98% of particles and allergens from your filtered indoor air.
• Low operating costs, with no replacement filters to buy.
• Cleaning indicators easily visible on the outside of the unit.
• Quiet operation.
• Easy installation.
• Produces a negligible amount of ozone – less than .3 ppb into the living space (well below the FDA ‘s voluntary emission limit for medical devices).

Humidifiers & Dehumidification Systems - A Solution for Excessive Humidity

In the 1970’s, as homes became more highly insulated and air-tight in order to reduce energy costs, they created the perfect environments for mold, bacteria, and viruses to thrive, and people started having more health problems related to poor air quality.

With excessive humidity in a home, mold and bacteria can grow on the cooling coils and in the drain pan of interior air conditioning equipment and can be blown through the ducts into the rooms of a home where they can aggravate allergies and cause other health problems associated with poor or polluted indoor air. One mold organism can multiply to millions in two to three weeks. Approximately 60% of allergies and respiratory illnesses related to indoor air quality may be caused by mold, according to the World Health Organization.

You should maintain a relative humidity in the 35% to 50% range in your home. Below 35% can lead to sore throats, sinus congestion, and skin problems as well as warps and gaps in wooden flooring, furniture, and molding. Home humidity that is much above 50% will promote the growth of mold and other bacteria.

A dehumidification system can solve your home’s high humidity problem. If the humidity is too low and the air is very dry, a humidifier can correct the problem. (See our product page.)

Whatever the problem with your home’s indoor air quality, Brady Flanary HVAC can provide solutions that will enable your family to enjoy the comfort of your home without having to worry about the air you breathe.