Indoor air quality is essential to your health and comfort, especially during the cold season. Sadly, our homes contain many air contaminants that can increase symptoms of asthma, allergies and other ailments. Here are some common pollutants and some ways to reduce them.
Common indoor air pollutants
Indoor air pollutants come from many sources. Here are a few that are probably in your home right now:
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, can be released into the air by some indoor paints, air fresheners, cleaning products and adhesives. Even furniture releases toxic gases like benzene and formaldehyde in a process called off-gassing.
Biological pollutants like mould release toxic spores into the air. Mould will grow in your home in places with excess moisture or high humidity. Pet dander is another biological pollutant that can wreak havoc on allergy sufferers.
Asbestos and lead are carcinogenic materials banned ages ago but still present in older homes. Lead can be found in old paint; asbestos in old boilers, ducts and floor tiles.
Radon and ozone are poisonous gases that cause lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses. Radon occurs naturally in the soil and accumulates in basements. Ozone is made through a chemical reaction between VOCs and nitrogen oxide.
These pollutants are unhealthy and can also build up in your HVAC system, leading to a costly furnace or air conditioning repair.
What You Can Do
Several products eliminate contaminants, making the air you breathe healthier and prolonging the lifespan of your HVAC system.
Air cleaners capture impurities with effectively engineered filters, allowing only the purest air to pass through.
UV lights reduce mould, odours, pollutants and bacteria in your ductwork and air conditioner’s evaporator coil. Your air will be healthier, and your HVAC system will work more efficiently.
Air purifiers connect to your HVAC system and use charged ions to remove allergens, smoke and dust from the air. The ions also kill mould, bacteria and other viruses, reducing odours from pets and cooking.
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers keep your home’s humidity levels in check, reducing allergy-inducing mould and airborne pathogens like the flu virus.
Ventilators help maintain oxygen levels inside your home and provide fresh air while filtering out gaseous pollutants like carbon monoxide and methane.
Finally, always clean and replace the filters in your furnace, air conditioners and air cleaning units according to manufacturer recommendations.
Contact your HVAC contractor in Cambridge
Besides our indoor air quality products, Aire One Heating & Cooling provides duct cleaning, furnace maintenance and repair services. We serve customers in Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph and the Tri-Cities area. Contact us today to request a quote.