IAQ Archives - Always Plumbing & Heating

Invisible to the naked eye, microscopic particles are swirling everywhere in our homes, causing runny noses, coughing, headaches, nausea, and even respiratory infections. The wear and tear on HVAC equipment can also cause a host of maintenance problems, like poor airflow, clogged coils, and compressor failure.

Always Plumbing has a wide range of indoor air purifiers to remove the contaminants in your home, from HEPA Air Filters to hospital-grade UVC Light air purifiers. With flu season just around the corner, it is beneficial that you protect your home and your family with a Clean Air Defence System. This system is comprised of HEPA filters plus a UVC Light. Airborne flu viruses can be captured and sterilized, preventing them from recirculating throughout your home via your ductwork. A standard MERV10 furnace filter alone captures only 10% of flu viruses, whereas adding an ultraviolet lamp triples that total single pass capture/sterilize rate to 35%.

What is Ultraviolet Light and how does it work?

UVC lamps target the DNA of microorganisms, destroying their cells or making replication impossible. Mounted on your home’s HVAC equipment, UVC energy destroys surface biofilm, a gluey matrix of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, debris, et al.) that grow in the presence of moisture. Biofilm leads to a host of indoor air quality (IAQ) and operational problems that are sometimes mistakenly attributed solely to mold. UVC also destroys airborne viruses and bacteria that circulate through an HVAC system. UVC light was artificially created in the 1880’s. By the 1930’s surgeons were using UVC light in operating rooms to reduce airborne bacterial and viral infections.

Ultraviolet (UV) lights have been used since the 1930s in commercial and industrial procedures. In the 1990’s, UVC lamps started to emerge as in-duct air purifiers for residential use. UV lights are a proven technology that kills biological growth and disable the DNA of airborne micro-organisms and germs.

Benefits of UVC Systems

UVC Lamps disinfect the air by neutralizing airborne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and mold. By controlling surface and airborne microbes, UVC can be beneficial in many ways, including Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) control and energy savings:

IAQ Control. UVC improves air quality by preventing the spread of airborne viruses and reducing the allergy and asthma symptoms triggered by biofilm/mold. It creates safer and more comfortable indoor environments, resulting in a happier and healthier home for you and your family.
Energy Savings. Studies show that a small amount of biofilm buildup on a coil increases energy consumption by 21.5%. UVC provides continuous cleaning of coils to eliminate biofilm and protect your home’s HVAC equipment. Energy savings can range from 10% to 28%.

Always Plumbing & Heating are your local indoor air quality experts. We are a local supplier of Dynamic Series2 Germicidal UVC Lamps, which are whole home IAQ systems that are installed directly on your central heating ductwork. We provide a range of quality systems that protect the air you breathe and reduce the spread of flu viruses throughout your home.

Credits: Data extracted from https://www.dynamicaqs.com/

It’s no surprise that indoor air quality gets worse during winter. People stay indoors where pollutants can be 2-10 times as bad as the air outside. And in an effort to save energy and feel warmer, homeowners often seal air leaks and improve insulation for the cold weather.

While sealing in conditioned air will help with savings and efficiency, without proper ventilation it will also trap hazardous indoor air pollutants that can trigger asthma, allergies, headaches, sicknesses, fatigue, and respiratory problems.

Dangerous Flu Outbreak

2018 might be the worst year on record for flu outbreaks. According to the Washington Post:

Nationally, as of mid-December, at least 106 people had died of the infectious disease. In addition, states across the country are reporting higher-than-average flu-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Hospitalization rates are highest among people older than 50 and children younger than 5.

The situation is no better, and may indeed be worse, in Canada. According to the weekly FluWatch report from the Public Health Agency of Canada:

Overall, influenza activity in Canada remains high.
Most indicators remain in the higher range of expected levels for this time of year.
Influenza B began circulating much earlier than usual this season. The number of influenza B detections remains substantially greater this season compared to previous years.
To date this season, the majority of lab confirmations, hospitalizations and deaths have been among adults 65 years of age and older.

Flu shots may not prevent the flu entirely, but even if you do come down with the illness, the symptoms will be less severe. There is also evidence that shows how yearly flu shots provide cumulative protection. We highly recommend getting the flu shot every year… for you and everybody around you as well.

There are many other health hazards associated with poor indoor air quality. Here are some tips for a healthy indoor air quality this winter.

6 Tips for Improving Winter Indoor Air Quality

1. Source Identification and Control

Perhaps the best way to improve your indoor air quality is by locating and removing the source of the contamination. You may have many things in your home that are causing or aggravating health issues. Improve indoor air quality by eliminating or reducing the pollution source.

Take some time to look at the shelves and in the cabinets of your home. Use the Household Products Database from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to research the products in your home, find out what’s in them, and learn about potential health effects. Either buy non-toxic, non-VOC products or make your own, DIY style.

2. Exhaust Fans

Spot ventilation is normally found in your kitchens and bathrooms in the form of exhaust fans.

All of your bathrooms and kitchens should have working exhaust fans to refresh the air and get rid of unwanted moisture. Exhaust fans can also vent away aerosol and cleaning product vapors that are damaging to your health. The exhaust fan should be ducted through the roof.

Always increase ventilation when using products or appliances that may release contaminants into the air. Follow manufacturer instructions carefully. Do not use an outdoor-use only product indoors.

3. Central Ventilation

In addition to exhaust fans (also known as “spot ventilation”), we highly recommend a balanced, central ventilation system. A professional HVAC technician can hook up heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) or energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) so you can refresh the indoor air without the associated energy losses.

4. Humidification

Humidity levels have a lot to do with your home’s air quality and pest control management. For instance, high humidity fosters mold growth and attracts unwanted intruders. The ideal humidity level in your home should be somewhere between 30 and 50 percent.

Contact a professional HVAC company about whole-home humidification solutions. Depending on the humidity of your home, the central air system will either introduce or remove moisture.

5. Clean Air Filter

Central HVAC systems not only provide conditioned air to your indoor spaces, they also pass your indoor air through a filter to pick up any large airborne particulates. When the filters get dirty, it can impede airflow and worsen indoor air quality. For the sake of your health and heating and air conditioning system, remember to periodically change your air filter.

We recommend checking your air filter every 30 days and waiting no longer than 90 days to clean or replace it. Make sure you have plenty of air filter replacement on hand and write the date of replacement on the filter every time you change it out. This way, you know exactly how long the air filter has been in use.

6. Active Air Purification

Speak with an HVAC expert about air purifiers that can be installed directly into your existing central air system. In addition ventilation, source control, and humidification, you may want to take a more active approach. Many air purifiers, such as UV lights and air scrubbers actually attack and kill living organisms.

Other Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality:

Store paints and other similar materials in a garage, shed, or other non-living area.
Properly dispose of unused or expired containers. Buy limited quantities.
Follow all manufacturer labels and instructions.
Test for radon and other dangerous pollutants.
Increase ventilation when using products that emit VOCs, such as cleaning products.
Use low-impact, integrated pest management to reduce the need for chemical herbicides and pesticides.
Purchase more houseplants, especially these NASA-approved air filtering plants.
Reduce mold and dust mites by controlling moisture levels, cleaning regularly, and using anti-allergy linens and other products.
Keep toxic and dangerous materials out of reach of children and pets.
Regularly vacuum, dust, and clean the home.
Hard materials for flooring and furniture are easier to keep clean.
Avoid products with toxic fire retardants, which can offgas chemicals into your home for years. Choose natural fire-resistant materials instead.

Contact Always Plumbing & Heating for to schedule your indoor air quality consultation. Call us at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to schedule an appointment today!

Tag: IAQ

Protecting Your Indoor Air Quality this Flu Season