The emergence of the Covid virus pandemic in 2019 brought the concept of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) into the minds of the general public; whereas, it has long been of great to concern for HVAC professionals, building engineers and people with chronic health conditions and sensitivities. But, what does it mean?

Indoor Air Quality refers to the presence or absence of airborne contaminants in and around homes and buildings. Poor indoor air quality, air laden with contaminants that we inhale, can have profound effects on occupants’ health in the immediate and over a longer time period. Sources of potential air contamination can come from outside and inside your home! They include:

Biological Pollutants: pet saliva & dander, viruses, mold, mildew, bacteria, plant debris, excrement & body parts from insects and rodents, pollen
Carbon Monoxide (CO): a toxic, odorless, tasteless gas emitted from combustion processes
Formaldehyde/Pressed Wood Products: a widely used chemical in building materials, household products, a by-product of combustion and natural processes
Lead (Pb): old paint, tracked in via soil, soldering and stained glass making
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2): a by-product of unvented combustion processes that are poorly ventilated
Asbestos: a strong, carcinogenic, mineral fiber in building materials, fire retardants, packaging, coatings, gaskets, heat resistant fabrics, paper, automotive friction products, it can be released into the air by remodeling activities

Radon: an odorless, invisible, naturally occurring, radioactive gas
Particulate Matter: a mix of solids and/or liquids from cooking, cleaning & vacuuming, candles, dust, dirt, crafts & hobbies, contaminated HVAC systems, pet dander, indoor chemical reactions
Secondhand Smoke/Vaping: cigarettes, marijuana, pipe tobacco, vape chemicals
Stoves and Heaters
Fireplaces and Chimneys: smoke and ashes from burning wood
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): gases from sources like cleaning supplies, paint & solvents, aerosol sprays, cosmetics, hobby & craft supplies, air fresheners, dry-cleaned clothes, pesticides, building materials and furnishings

These contaminants and their effects on occupants’ health are what led to the term, “sick building syndrome”. “Sick building syndrome" (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.

Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to the ill effects of poor indoor air quality, as is anyone with a chronic health condition like allergies, chemical sensitivities and respiratory conditions like asthma, emphysema and COPD. Even if you’re young and healthy, breathing in these pollutants isn’t good for you. Symptoms in the immediate are akin to those of a cold: headaches, fatigue, eye, nose and throat irritation and breathing difficulties.

When these contaminants build up in the body over long periods of exposure, they can lead to debilitating and even life threatening conditions like respiratory illnesses, heart disease and cancer.

Thankfully, the evolution of building science and continuing innovation in the HVAC industry offers solutions to improve the quality of the air in your home or work environment. At Comfort Zone, we are dedicated to the well-being of all our customers. Every fall and spring, when the demands of maintenance, repair and installation slow down with the seasons’ milder temperatures, we take continuing education courses that keep us up-to-date on what’s new and smart in the HVAC field, so we are always positioned to offer our clients the very best solutions to improve their indoor air quality and comfort. We offer:

Central dehumidifiers: humidity control is a key component of IAQ. We install whole home dehumidifiers manufactured by Aprilaire, an industry leader in IAQ. We also service all major brands of central dehumidifiers including Aprilaire, Honeywell, Santa Fe, and more.
Ultraviolet lights: UV lights inhibit mold, allergens, viruses, VOC's and other airborne contaminants. We install UV systems from Aprilaire, Honeywell, Apco, and many others.
Central HEPA filters- HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) filters remove much smaller contaminates from the air than a typical air filter. We install and service HEPA filters manufactured by Aprilaire, Honeywell, Clean Comfort, and many more.