We know as a homeowner or a business owner you always want the best Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) you can have in your space. At Geiser Berner, we have heard some myths about indoor air quality that we would like to shed some light on. We have compiled just a small list of some of the myths that we have listened to.
Humidifying dry air indoors is better
In the wintertime, the humidity lowers. This makes people feel the need to bring in humidifiers or run theirs. The real root cause of low levels of humidity would be the leakage of air indoors to the outside.
The relative humidity, especially in winter, goes down. This necessitates the need for humidifiers. But, the real cause of the low levels of humidity would be the leakage of indoor air to the outside, which is the root cause that needs to be addressed.
Raising the humidity (moisture content) of the air in any given enclosed space by over 40 percent could create problems. That’s because, mold, fungi, bacteria, and other microbes tend to thrive with increased humidity.
A good way of preventing this issue is by sealing any air vents, which causes the loss of humidity.
Radon is not a problem
Radon is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas. Radon is released when uranium breaks down in the ground. It is a radioactive gas that is notorious for being a high cause of lung cancer. In enclosed buildings during the winter, it is not uncommon for radon to build up.
Radon gas is a major IAQ and safety concern, which is why checking radon levels in public buildings, or when buying a new house should be part of an IAQ inspection. Learn more about radon and its dangers of it from the EPA website located here.
Improving IAQ requires a BIG investment
Bad IAQ can be improved upon. With HVAC advances, improving indoor air quality is not as difficult as some may think. By eliminating pollutants and contaminants from indoor air, HVAC systems can improve the IAQ in indoor spaces.
Professional installation and regular maintenance yearly are crucial for them to be effective. By using low-cost devices such as sensors to detect low humidity and IAQ levels, good quality of air can be easily maintained.
It’s impossible to monitor IAQ like an expert
All that is required these days to monitor a building’s air quality is a smart air-monitoring device that can be easily purchased and installed.
The options that are available on the market range from simple alert systems that monitor a single safety hazard to more advanced devices that are capable of monitoring and alerting you to a number of potential safety risks.
Air Fresheners are great for IAQ.
We all love our house to smell fresh and cover up some of those odors from time to time. Did you know they do little to no good for your indoor air quality? Unfortunately, most air fresheners have harmful containing chemicals. Too much use of these fragrances will lead up to poor IAQ.
GeiserBerner is here for you!
We understand that you want to keep your family, friends, and staff safe and happy. Geiserberner is here to help answer any questions you have about air quality. Please feel free to email us at [email protected] or give us a call at 847-827-9424