Green HVAC

I always tell you there is no more effective way to impact your carbon footprint than to upgrade your home or office comfort system, buy a prius go solar or put a wind turbine in your backyard don't worry the neighbors won't mind.
Dollar for dollar nothing will make a bigger impact than getting the right HVAC system here are some people who agree.

Modern HVAC system improves air qualityEvery home, office polluted somewhat

During the past few years, people have become more health conscious about the environments in which they live and work on a daily basis. Stories about mold pollution in homes and offices dominated headlines and evening television news programs. This created an awareness and a demand for indoor air quality. Pure air in the home and the office promotes health, cleanliness and comfort.

Every home and office is polluted. Period, end of story. The degree of that pollution and an individual's ability to tolerate that pollution is the question. This is the individual's perception of comfort. Comfort is more than the temperature and air circulation in the room. Is this individual allergic to mold, dust, fungus or chemicals? How well does he or she breathe or sleep?

Just like the body's natural wear and tear we call arthritis, the continued exposure to indoor pollutants aggravates allergies and can be linked to asthma. Humidity and warmth can be a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and viruses, creating an atmosphere conducive to respiratory infection and other health hazards.

Organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology have studied the phenomenon of indoor pollution, discovering frightening details. Indoor pollution can be two, five or even 100 times worse than outdoor pollution. It is related to most chronic sinus problems and, in fact, the number of allergy and asthma sufferers has nearly doubled over the past 10 years.

Part of the problem is lifestyle, part is nature, part is technology. The way we live can contribute heavily to indoor pollution. While we love our pets, their fur traps dust, dirt, and insects among other things. There is no telling what we might track in after a day at work or a jog around the neighborhood -- did you walk through tall grass, mud or puddles? Is your house carpeted? How about your hamper? There's a reason why those socks and those towels smell -- the humidity, darkness and temperature make them a great habitat for bacteria and mold breeding.

Growing used to it
It's not just wear and tear.

Property owners come to expect discolored walls, water stains and dust on the ventilation ducts. They pass off as non-threatening something that might be a symptom of a larger problem. While discolored walls and dusty ventilation ducts indicate dirty air, water stains are telltale signs of leaks. Aside from discoloration and possible structural damage, again, the humidity and dark conditions between the walls create ideal breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

While more common in older houses, new homes are not immune to air quality problems. With new construction standards, the high-quality insulation seals aimed at HVAC efficiency have the side effect of trapping chemical vapors like paint, formaldehyde, solvent and cleaning products inside the house. Aerosols like hairspray and air freshener, hobby supplies like superglue and fuel products in the garage can give off toxic vapors that will stay in the home's atmosphere.

While opening a window seems like the best alternative to a stuffy house and stale air, it comes with its own set of complications, like weather, heat, bugs and pollen to name a few. Additionally, there is no guarantee that the fresher air from outside will circulate efficiently.

Make a plan
Before taking any kind of remedial action, it's best to study the situation. Indoor air quality (IAQ) companies, often branches of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning companies (HVAC), can perform air quality surveys with systems that sample and record the content and quality of the air in the home.

If some sort of remedial action is needed, these IAQ companies can suggest a complete strategy to neutralize chemical vapors, eliminate fungus and bacteria and circulate stagnant air. Cleaning the house is a good start, but that only cleans what's visible. Scheduling regular maintenance of your HVAC system can assure the integrity of ducts and seals, assuring that pollutants do not fall into the airflow. Changing air conditioning filters is another simple measure anyone can take, but there is still much that can be done to improve the conditions.

Free-standing or integrated High Efficiency Particle Arrest (HEPA) filters are an excellent way to trap the bulk of particulate matter floating in the air. Though small enough to trap grains of pollen or mold spores, the microscopic pores in a HEPA filter do little to neutralize chemical vapors. Coupled with an ionizer, an electrically charged metal screen, an HVAC system can break down harmful chemical compounds in the air. Some modern clean air systems even integrate a series of ultraviolet light inside the ducts which can destroy some harmful bacteria and fungi.

Indoor air quality is about balance. If the air is too dry, it can dry out throats and nasal passages; too wet and it creates an ideal environment for bacterial and fungal growth. Pets can bring cheer to our lives, but pet dander is a common allergen. We need our cleaning supplies, but their fumes can be toxic.

Modern HVAC equipment can address each of these issues. Minor changes in habits paired with a consultation from an Indoor Air Quality firm can determine the right strategy to assure air quality in the home or office. Measures exist to combat allergens and harmful chemicals to create a clean, healthy and comfortable living space.