In our increasingly fast-paced world and with the ever-increasing worries on air quality, it is important to note that outdoor air quality can affect indoor atmosphere whether in offices or at home. Here at Infiniti Air Conditioning and Heating, we equip our customers with the knowledge to make smart decisions about the air in their homes. Here’s what to know about the impact of outdoor air on indoor air quality, and how to minimize its effects.
How Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality Are Related
Outdoor air quality is a baseline for indoor air quality. Air pollutants like particulate matter (PM2. 5, PM10), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) can come inside through the ventilation systems, doors, windows, and other openings. Outdoor contaminants can leak into a well-sealed building over time and influence indoor air quality.
Health Implications
Low indoor air quality can surfact to various health issues, from allergic conditions and respiratory disorders to life-threatening diseases such as asthma attacks and cardiovascular diseases. When outdoor pollutants are inhaled indoors, such as vehicle emissions, industrial emissions and pollen, they can contribute significantly to these health risks.
Seasonal Variations
Outdoor air quality changes across seasons due to weather systems, thermal inversions, and anthropogenic activity. For example, for wildfire season or pollen season, elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter and allergens from outside are poured into indoor air and subsequently affect indoor air quality.
Mitigating Measures
Air Filtration Systems: HEPA filters should be installed in ventilation systems in order to eliminate airborne particles and prevent them from entering inner spaces. Regular maintenance and changing filters are important for best performance.
Ventilation Management: One ventilation strategy is to reduce the amount of outdoor air if the outside air has higher levels of pollution, or exhaust ventilation which helps dilute pollutants in indoor air. Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) can be used as well to increase the efficiency of our ventilation systems while maintaining energy use.
Indoor Plants: Adding indoor plants that have air-filtering properties like peace lily, spider plant, and snake plant helps reduce the amount of indoor pollutants naturally.
Air Quality Monitoring Indoor air quality monitors deliver real-time data on the concentration of pollutants, allowing for action as soon as air quality drops. This leads to a better indoor atmosphere.
This is why at Infiniti Air Conditioning and Heating, we aim to understand the relationship between outdoor air quality and indoor quality. Understanding these dynamics and taking actionable steps can safeguard occupant health and well-being and vastly improve indoors air quality. Remember, the first steps to ensuring clean indoor air are awareness and taking actions that minimize the effect of outside contaminants.
Call Infiniti Air Conditioning and Heating today for more information about improving indoor air quality with HVAC systems. Let’s work together to build healthier indoor spaces for our future
