Recent Indoor Air Quality Technology Advancements
In the last decade, several things have happened and have impacted the HVAC industry. This field has always been driven by technology, but lately, it has seen an influx of innovation at a faster rate. The real estate market and environment have also seen changes due to increased demand for electricity. A topic that has become more important is indoor air quality, a service that we at Custom Comfort Air provide to our customers. Here are recent indoor air quality technology advancements that have been made and their benefits.
Why Is Indoor Air Quality Important?
Some cities experience worse outdoor air than others. Sugar Land’s last air quality score was 61 out of 100 whereas the national average was 58. This means that the Sugar Land area receives better-than-average quality air by a few points.
According to studies, the more questionable air quality that a person breathes in, the less healthy he or she is. Several studies have been conducted that focus on the health of employees and the amount of time they spend at the office or other commercial building. If the air quality of a workplace is not good, employees are more likely to get sick. When employees are getting sick, it leads to reduced productivity and increased labor costs. Neither of those is good given that the situation is easily preventable. Indoor air quality is important because everyone should be comfortable indoors. People should also be healthy. Even when the outdoor air quality is not the best, the indoor air quality should be a refuge. There is no reason to experience respiratory issues indoors.
Inside, your home should be free of the triggers that cause discomfort. The indoor air quality concern has been around for several decades, but it got pushed to the forefront as homes and buildings started to become more energy efficient. In order to fix the situation, an effort to educate the public about the importance of air quality has been initiated. For example, if someone understands that smoking has a negative impact on air quality, some smokers may think twice about smoking. At the very least, they may be more mindful about smoking in their homes, especially if children are also living there. Improving the quality of the air is about ensuring that the public, overall, is healthy. Those in the innovation and technology sectors have taken it upon themselves to solve the latest issue.
How Has Technology Impacted Indoor Air Quality?
Technology has disrupted several industries. It was technological advancements that helped improve energy efficiency in the HVAC field. Since homes and buildings are so tightly sealed, the polluted air from the outside is not getting in any more. By the same token, however, the air from the inside is not being refreshed because it is not escaping. Eventually, it becomes stale. Without a window to open, the stale air remains inside.
Studies have shown that stale air at companies leads to an increase in flu sickness. Once this data began to be published, the business sector started to pay attention to this trend. The result has been a move to improve indoor air quality while balancing the energy efficiency initiatives that have been accomplished. Several products with the purpose of making advancements for improved air quality have hit the market. They include:
- Purification systems
- Air scrubbers
- Filtration
- Air filters
A home that is energy efficient is a good thing. This home saves you money because there are no leaks. When there are no leaks, you do not have to run your HVAC system longer than necessary. Thanks to this, your energy bills are manageable. Since air is not getting in or getting out, ways to at least circulate it were found.
Purification Systems
Purification systems, like those from PureAir, deliver high-quality output. It is put on the same level as the quality that is delivered for hospital care. Since it does not produce ground-level ozone, that is not a concern. When it has been tested, it actually reduces the indoor ozone. The air purification technology is among the most advanced. As a bonus, it comes with a warranty on covered components. This product can handle particles such as dust, dander, and pollen, as well as harmful bacteria and smoke. Since the machine is picking them up, it means that you are not breathing them in, which is a good thing because you are likely to breathe in up to 95 percent of those particles into your lungs.
Air Scrubbers
Air scrubbers are another indoor air quality advancement that has been made thanks to technology. The Air Scrubber Plus is estimated to be able to reduce 99 percent of surface micro-organisms. Tests have also shown a great reduction of airborne contaminants and allergens. It uses a combination of UV light, oxygen, and water molecules reacting together to do its job. It also consists of the Advanced Oxidation Process that delivers superoxide ions, hydroxyls, and hydrogen peroxide to clean the air and surfaces indoors. The purpose of this product is to clean, freshen, and purify indoor air.
Filtration Systems
Filtration systems are an advancement that improves indoor comfort and air quality. Lennox is one manufacturer that builds a series of filtration products. For example, its Healthy Climate Carbon Clean 16 Media Air Cleaner:
- Is highly rated
- Has a whole-home filtration system
- Includes a MERV 16 air filter
- Removes at least 95 percent of particles sized down to 0.3 micron
- Removes at least 90 percent of bioaerosols and microorganisms down to 0.01 micron
Additionally, Lennox’s line of products is manufactured to be aesthetically pleasing. It includes a limited five-year warranty as well as no zone emissions and no need for an additional power source.
Air Filters
Air filters play an important role in technology and units that aim to provide quality indoor air. The MERV rating system is the industry standard. In residential HVAC systems, MERV 8 filters are most often used. When you purchase an air scrubber or filtration system, it will likely include higher-rated MERV filters because the machines can handle it. A typical HVAC system can become overheated with higher-rated filters because there is less space for the air to get through.
Residential units are not built with as much power, so they can stop working instead. A filter can last at least three months if you use your heating, cooling, and ventilation system at least eight hours a day for an extended amount of time. If you use your HVAC sparsely, it can last six months without needing to be replaced.
The Healthy Climate 11 Media Air Cleaner does not add to your current energy costs. It includes a MERV 11 filter and a slide-out cartridge for quick and easy replacement. When it comes to air filters, it is a good idea to let the professionals handle it. Most companies stick with specific suppliers that provide the best quality products. This ensures that you are not going to use something that is cheap in quality.
For more information about how technology can improve the indoor air quality of your home, contact us at Custom Comfort Air in Sugar Land, TX. Additional services we provide include maintenance, repairs, and installation of heating and cooling systems.