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Primary Parameters of Indoor Air Quality

Almost every place you look is swamped with ways of boosting your overall wellbeing. Most people have now realized the impact of the air they are breathing in on their physical and mental health. In time past, polluted air was thought to be confined to outdoor spaces and industrial locations. Homes are nonetheless also a key contributor to air pollution with the fuel used to power various appliances and the polluted air streaming in from outdoors.

Installation of HVAC units and prompt AC repair to most Draper residents are the only elements that assure them of comfortable interiors. Comfortable does not, however, equate quality or safety. Along with an optimally performing HVAC unit, you should have indoor air quality monitoring systems. While there exists no universal definition of what constitutes clean air, some elements in the air have been proven to cause several adverse effects.

To this end, some new HVAC units have inbuilt monitoring systems for various parameters of air quality. Alternatively, an HVAC expert can recommend getting separate sensors to monitor these elements. Here are the primary factors measured to determine indoor air quality.

Carbon Dioxide

This is generated in your indoor environment by the respiration process of living organisms or organic matter combustion. The accumulation of carbon dioxide in your indoor air will cause an increased pulse rate and blood pressure and drowsiness. It also overstimulates your respiratory center and causes confusion, breathing difficulty, dim vision, and in extreme cases, a loss of consciousness.

PM 10 and PM 2.5

The ‘PM’ in air quality stands for particulate matter. These are a blend of liquid droplets and solid floating in the air. PM 10 particles are not more than 10 micrometers while PM 2.5 particles are less than 2.5micromemeters. These particles are light and thus extremely easy to breathe in and settle on your indoor surfaces. When they get into the lungs, PM 10 and PM 2.5 cause a range of respiratory conditions but most notably trigger asthmatic attacks.

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Relative Humidity

Some of the significant sources of humidity in your indoors include leaking pipes and open water sources. Indoor plants and respiration of animals and human beings will also contribute to the humidity in your indoor air. Too low humidity levels will make your skin dry and breathing uncomfortable. Excessively high levels, on the other hand, promote mold and mildew growth and make your indoors “stuffy.” Most new HVAC units have humidistats to monitor humidity levels and increase or decrease the moisture content in your indoors.

Temperature

The appliances in your house will generate heat that might make your interiors uncomfortable. The changing seasons will also contribute to a rise or drop in indoor temperature that might be uncomfortable for a building’s occupants. HVAC units, fortunately, have thermostats to detect the prevailing indoor temperature and adjust airflow as necessary to make your interiors comfortable.

Managing the sources of the above elements in your indoors is essential for quality indoor air. A well-maintained HVAC unit is nonetheless the surefire option for ensuring you indoors do not exceed the safe levels of the above elements. A filtration system will also help your HVAC unit to deliver an optimal indoor air quality.