Exploring the Factors That Affect Indoor Air Quality
May 04, 2023
The quality of the air inside your home is influenced by several factors; some of these factors are within your control, while there is nothing you can change to prevent the effects of others. In this article, you’ll learn more about these factors and how your HVAC system contributes to healthier, cleaner indoor air.
Indoor air quality is a broad term that encompasses several characteristics of the air inside your home. These characteristics include temperature, humidity, and cleanliness, all of which combine to influence your health and comfort. There are several factors that affect your home’s indoor air quality, as well as several steps you can take to ensure the air you and your family breathes is clean, comfortable, and healthy.
Your Local Weather
The weather outside will directly influence the temperature and humidity levels inside your home as your indoor air attempts to equalize with the environment outdoors. Windy days can also affect indoor air quality by blowing particulate matter, such as pollen or dust, into your home through open doors and windows.
Your Nearby Environment
The environment around your home can influence your air quality by contributing certain particles or gases to the air. If you live in an area with heavy traffic or certain types of industrial or manufacturing activity, your home’s indoor air may also have a higher concentration of certain chemicals or byproducts as a result.
Your Cleaning Supplies
Even the chemicals you use to clean your home can affect your indoor air quality. Every time you spray or spread cleaner on any surface in your home, tiny particles of this solution become airborne. This can result in the suspension of chemical droplets or odors in your home’s air, which may cause respiratory irritation without sufficient ventilation.
Your Family Members
The environment of your home is influenced by those who reside within it. If your family includes a pet, particularly a mammal or bird, your home may also contain a higher-than-average level of animal dander in the air. Animal dander is microscopic flakes of skin, which are shed by humans and animals alike. Some individuals experience an allergic reaction when exposed to animal dander, while others may simply sneeze or sniffle occasionally.
Your HVAC System
The components of your HVAC system play a vital and active role in home indoor air quality in several ways. The function and efficiency of your HVAC system influences the temperature and humidity levels inside your home—when your HVAC system is operating nominally, it can easily control these factors to keep your home at a temperature and moisture level that is healthy and comfortable. Furthermore, all HVAC systems include a furnace filter, which removes particles from the air to protect the HVAC system and clean the air you breathe. If you are concerned about the capabilities of your furnace filter or HVAC system alone, you can opt to install additional appliances to further improve indoor air quality. Filtration and air purification systems remove a higher percentage of particles and microorganisms, while home humidifiers add humidity to the dry desert air to reduce the symptoms and discomfort associated with breathing air that contains too little moisture.
If you’re looking for ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality, we have the HVAC solutions you need. Our home comfort technicians can help you evaluate the current condition of your home’s air, then make personalized suggestions based on your needs, preferences, and budget to ensure your indoor air quality is ideal for good health and optimum comfort. You can take a closer look at our HVAC services and products on our website, where you’ll also find additional blog articles with tips to follow for better home comfort and HVAC efficiency.