As people spend more time indoors, especially in tightly sealed and energy-efficient buildings, indoor air quality has become an increasingly important health and comfort issue. Poor indoor air quality can lead to a host of problems ranging from allergy symptoms to serious illnesses. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems play a critical role in maintaining good indoor air through proper filtration, ventilation, humidity control, and more. When HVAC systems are not operating correctly or fail, indoor pollutant levels can quickly spike leading to health and productivity problems.
By understanding common HVAC issues that impact air quality and getting necessary repairs from qualified professionals, building owners, and residents can breathe easier.
Ensuring Adequate Ventilation
Ventilation refers to the exchange of indoor and outdoor air. All buildings require proper ventilation to remove indoor pollutants and provide an ample supply of fresh air. HVAC systems typically provide ventilation through ductwork, vents, and an air handler with a fan that circulates air. If the fan motor fails or airflow is obstructed, ventilation can be compromised. Restricted ventilation leads to a gradual buildup of carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), environmental tobacco smoke, radon, and other hazardous pollutants. The effects range from drowsiness and headaches to serious illness with prolonged exposure. Getting fan motors repaired or replaced and ductwork cleaned are essential steps to ensure healthy ventilation rates. In some climates and buildings, using energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) which transfer heat and moisture between incoming and outgoing air while preventing cross-contamination can also improve indoor air.
Controlling Humidity
Ideal indoor relative humidity levels range between 30-50% according to the EPA. When humidity gets too high, mold and mildew growth explode leading to allergic reactions and respiratory problems for building occupants. At the same time, very dry air exacerbates some respiratory conditions like asthma and allows viruses to spread more rapidly by drying out nasal passages. HVAC systems balance indoor humidity through cooling coils that condense water from the air and drain pans that capture it. When drain pans get clogged or coils develop microscopic cracks or leaks, excess moisture circulates leading to unhealthy humidity levels. Getting a qualified technician to clean coils and drain pans and check for cracks prevents high humidity issues. Installing a whole-house dehumidifier is another option for keeping moisture under better control in damp climates.
Improving Filtration
Air filters play a frontline role in trapping particulate matter like dust, dander, pollen, and more to keep these common allergens and irritants out of the air. However, as filters accumulate particles over weeks or months, airflow gets restricted. Poor airflow lowers ventilation rates while also reducing the system’s heating and cooling performance. Routinely changing out old filters for new ones eliminates restricted airflow. Upgrading to a better MERV-rated filter also grabs smaller particles, keeping indoor air cleaner. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters offer the best filtration, removing a minimum of 99.97% of all particles greater than 0.3 microns for substantially cleaner air. While HEPA filtration requires professional installation and comes at a higher equipment cost, it can dramatically improve indoor air quality.
Detecting and Fixing Refrigerant Leaks
The refrigerant gas used in air conditioning equipment has changed over time due to environmental concerns over ozone depletion and global warming potential. While the latest R410a refrigerant has zero ozone depletion potential, it still carries a hefty global warming potential—nearly 2100 times greater than carbon dioxide according to the EPA. Refrigerant leaks not only cut AC performance and efficiency, but leaks slowly fill indoor air with greenhouse gases. The best way to prevent refrigerant leaks is to have a certified HVAC technician conduct periodic leak inspections and tests.
Tiny leaks can then be detected and sealed before they turn into bigger problems. Safety cut-off switches should also be installed to automatically shut down AC equipment in the event of a major leak. While refrigerant leaks contribute to climate change, the biggest acute health concern from leaks is potential carbon monoxide poisoning. If refrigerant leaks near a furnace or boiler, the chemical reaction with combustion gasses can quickly fill indoor air with the deadly gas. Getting refrigerant leaks addressed promptly eliminates this carbon monoxide danger.
Watching Carbon Monoxide Levels
Carbon monoxide (CO) merits special mention when discussing indoor air quality risks. As an odorless, colorless gas, carbon monoxide builds up silently at toxic levels before people start experiencing symptoms of poisoning. Prolonged exposure above 70 ppm or brief exposure above 150 ppm can be lethal. Common sources include malfunctioning furnaces, cracked boiler heat exchangers, and blocked vents/chimneys along with portable propane or gasoline-powered generators and tools used indoors or near air intakes. Installing several CO alarms around any buildings with combustion appliances provides an essential early warning system to prevent poisoning.
The NFPA also advises residents to have technicians inspect heating equipment and vents/chimneys yearly before cold weather sets in so problems can be fixed ahead of the heating season rush. Keeping attics and crawlspaces open can also give CO gases a dissipating room rather than accumulating to dangerous levels within occupied areas of a building. Getting major combustion appliance and venting issues addressed promptly protects health and lives indoors all winter long.
The HVAC Impact on Businesses and Workplaces
Most employees spend over 40 hours a week on the job indoors, making indoor air quality an essential workplace health and safety issue with serious productivity impacts. Poor ventilation increases drowsiness and diminishes mental performance. Meanwhile, employees may experience allergic reactions or asthma symptoms worsened by indoor pollutants. Simultaneously, particle pollution drives up absenteeism while sick employees at work spread infectious illnesses to others. Improving indoor air quality through proper HVAC operation cuts down on workdays lost for illness and protects at-risk groups like those with asthma or chemical sensitivities.
Protecting Indoor Air Year-Round
While air filters are changed and ventilation increases during warm months when heating and cooling systems run regularly, maintaining good indoor air quality remains important all year. Cold weather not only drives people indoors more where air quality issues can intensify, but festering issues also worsen like mold growth, pests nesting, and combustion byproducts accumulating. Getting scheduled maintenance to tune up heaters, inspect chimneys, seal pest entry points, and check insulation, ventilation, and appliance exhaust systems during summer or early fall prevents many air quality issues from escalating through winter. Installing ERVs also continues exchanging some fresh air during cold weather. Comprehensive HVAC maintenance before the heating season and prompt repairs anytime problems arise keep people breathing easier indoors all year long.
Hiring Qualified Professionals
Addressing most HVAC issues requires specialized technical skills, tools, licensing, and even EPA certification for refrigerant repairs. Attempting DIY repairs often cost more long-term between energy penalties and secondary damage than hiring a reputable HVAC company from the start. Industry training coupled with years of field experience allows qualified technicians to accurately diagnose and fix issues promptly. Established local HVAC businesses like Attic Man bring additional value with their longevity and community reputation standing behind their repair work. Checking certifications, licensing, and getting multiple quotes helps homeowners and property managers find the right balance of expertise and affordability. Investing in regular maintenance contracts also provides savings over just calling for emergency repairs. Keeping complex HVAC systems humming not only protects air quality but saves substantially on utility bills too—providing health, comfort, and cost rewards.
After exploring key ventilation, humidity, filtration, refrigerant, and combustion safety issues along with a qualified professional’s role, the importance of proper HVAC operation for maintaining indoor air quality becomes clear. From homes to workplaces, functioning equipment keeps the air breathed by occupants significantly cleaner and safer daily. By understanding potential HVAC problems that compromise air quality and getting necessary repairs and maintenance performed promptly, building owners, employers, and residents can all breathe healthier indoors while avoiding productivity losses and medical risks from pollution. Keeping heating, ventilation, and air purification systems around both occupants and the equipment properly balanced provides cleaner, more comfortable air year-round.
