Improving Indoor Air Quality With The Right HVAC System

What's the role of your HVAC system in your home? If you said to heat it in winter and cool it in summer you'd be correct.

But not entirely…

In addition to keeping your home comfortable in every season, your HVAC system also has another duty: To maintain good air quality.

If you haven't spent much time considering the role your HVAC system plays in keeping your home's indoor air clean and safely breathable over the long term, you're not alone. In fact, many homeowners only discover the benefits of improved indoor air quality after experiencing discomforts or health issues related to poor air quality in their environment. That's part of the reason why our knowledgeable and experienced team at SMHC is so dedicated to educating clients about innovative, affordable, and proactive indoor air quality solutions.

Below, we've explored the importance of indoor air quality in the home and provided an overview of indoor air quality solutions that can seamlessly integrate with new or existing HVAC systems to promote good health and easy breathing 24 hours a day. Let's dive in for a closer look!

Importance of Indoor Air Quality

Canadians spend a lot of time indoors and, while much of that time used to be spent at work, the trend towards working from home has meant that many Canadians now spend the bulk of their time at home. According to Statistique Canada, the percentage of Canadians working from home has increased from 7.1% in May of 2016 to 20.1% in May 2023. These statistics highlight a clear trend toward more time spent at home overall and underscore the critical importance of a safe and healthy home environment like never before.

We inhale and exhale constantly, and breathing fresh, pollutant-free air can positively impact our overall health and wellness in small and large ways. Some of the many benefits of good indoor air quality can include a reduction in:

• Headaches
• Allergic reactions
• Breathing issues
• Sore throats and nasal issues
• Fatigue
• Skin rashes, dryness, and discomfort

Common Indoor Air Pollutants

The air inside your home can be contaminated by many different types of pollutants, some of them organic and some man-made. Common indoor air pollutants include:

• Mould spores
• Mildew
• Bacteria
• Pet dander
• Pollen
• Dust
• Soot
• Smoke
• VOCs (volatile organic compounds)

Choosing the Right HVAC System for Better Air Quality

At SMHC, we specialize in the installation of 3 types of air quality systems:

• HEPA Air Cleaning - HEPA filters are a low-maintenance air filtration solution that combines two particle-capture technologies to ensure indoor air that is 99.97% clean!
• Heat Recovery Ventilation System - Enjoy the benefits of fresh, outdoor air year-round with a heat recovery system that replaces stale air and keeps moisture, mould, and rot at bay.
• Whole-House Humidifier - Prevent dry skin, sinus or respiratory irritation, and more with whole-house humidity control that helps improve indoor air quality in every room and in every season.

Maintenance Tips for Optimal Air Quality

Wondering how best to maintain your HVAC system for air quality outcomes? Achieve consistently healthy indoor air quality by:

• Changing filters regularly
• Scheduling maintenance appointments
• Improving airflow and natural ventilation systems
• Reducing indoor air contaminants (clean regularly, groom pets outdoors, use green products, etc.)

Ready to invest in better indoor air quality? The team at SMHC is prepared to help! Call us today to book your appointment.