Our ancestors would have never been able to fathom an HVAC system 100 years ago. But these days, it has become necessary for any home where you want to control the temperature indoors and live comfortably even during extreme weather conditions.
We spend most of our lives indoors, sometimes up to 90%. Therefore, you must take steps to ensure high indoor air quality. In this article, you’ll find out how a proper HVAC system assists with this task and help you stay in good health.
The Problem:
#1 – Indoor Air Pollution
Indoor air pollution is a legitimate worry that requires attention from everyone. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered that airborne contaminants inside buildings could be 2-5 times higher than those outside. Indoor air pollution has numerous sources, such as cooking, housekeeping materials, pesticides, and moisture. It’s essential to take preventive measures to reduce these pollutants and protect yourself from their ill effects.
It’s essential to note that traditional heating/cooling units do not purify indoor air directly. Introducing clean outdoor air into your space is best to improve the air quality inside buildings. Given the situation, keeping track of pollution sources and working with your HVAC engineer to design effective ventilation systems for indoor spaces is essential.
#2 – Temperature Fluctuation
Temperature fluctuations throughout the year can be a significant source of discomfort and disruption. Whether it’s winter or summer, you need a dependable HVAC unit to stay relaxed and productive.
Unfortunately, many people need to realize how significant it is to properly service their HVAC system to regulate temperature changes throughout the year. With proper maintenance, your HVAC system may be able to keep up with sudden temperature shifts, and you may feel uncomfortable in your home or office.
How HVAC System Addresses Your Problems
- Controlling Temperatures
When confined to a small space of your house, like the kitchen and small rooms with other people, you cannot help but notice that the temperature gets uncomfortably hot even in the fall season. You do not have to suffer from this discomfort with a properly installed HVAC system. Instead, you can enjoy a relaxing and productive time with your family and friends in a small space you share, regardless of the weather outside.
- Improving Ventilation
To make your home or workspace cleaner and fresher, you need to improve the air quality. Fortunately, with recent technological advancements, you can now work with an HVAC engineer to install an air-to-air heat exchanger device, which will help reduce indoor air pollutants and allow external fresh air to enter the building. This system allows you to keep indoor air fresh throughout the year while keeping your energy costs low.
You’ll also need a way to access your ducts to keep them clean or to do maintenance work. For this reason, you should install HVAC access doors and panels throughout your ductwork for increased accessibility.
- Filtering Pollutants
We use a lot of harmful household chemicals that emit VOCs in our daily lives. Though it is hard to eliminate their presence, suitable ventilation can help reduce their concentration and protect us from the potential health risks associated with overexposure.
Heating and air conditioning systems don’t directly clean the air but use filters. To get the most value from these filters, you should learn about their Maximum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating and maximize it for the best results. Increased MERV values result in superior air filtration efficiency, but the downside is that you reduce the overall airflow of your system.
The MERV rating on your filter affects the overall airflow in your HVAC system. So it’s essential to speak with your engineer to determine the perfect balance between these two factors. The right combination can be similar whether you have a high or low MERV rating, but it’s best to get professional advice to get the most optimal solution.
Plan Out Your HVAC Solution
A well-functioning HVAC system is essential for a comfortable living or work environment. That’s why it’s necessary to have a clear plan that allows you to meet your objectives for your interiors.
Once the installation is complete, it’s essential to take your time to check everything out. During this process, you may find some adjustments that can help customize the space and make your life easier. Remember to test out all the components of your system too!